Gardaí warn women over drinks after rape attack

GARDAÍ issued a warning to young women last night — watch each other’s drinks at Christmas parties after it emerged that a woman in her twenties could have had her drink deliberately spiked before being raped.

Gardaí in Youghal, Co. Cork, have not ruled out the possibility that the woman, who was raped in the early hours of last Sunday morning. may have had her drink laced with a powerful and so-called ‘date rape drug’ which left her virtually senseless.

A garda spokesman said the woman had been drinking at a local nightclub before the attack took place. She is believed to have left possibly in the company of a man of her own age, between 1.30 and 2 am.

The woman was later discovered in a traumatised and high disorientated state. She was taken to the Sexual Assault Unit at the South Infirmary in Cork city where she was medically examined. Following the examination, gardaí launched a major hunt for the rapist and appealed to the public for help.

The woman may have left the nightclub and gone either back towards the town centre or towards the beach at Youghal strand, the garda spokesman said.

He said the woman had been drinking at The Station nightclub, also known as Clancy’s pub at the front strand, Youghal, before the attack took place. “We are appealing for anybody who sawor heard anything suspicious to contact us.” Meanwhile, garda crime prevention officer, Sergeant John Kelly, said women should remain alert to the potential danger of having their drink spiked.

He said young women should use the “buddy system” and watch out for each other. They shouldn’t all go to the ladies toilets together and leave their drinks unguarded.

He also said that they should ensure that they accompanied home any of their friends who looked the worse for wear.