Gardaí hunt for sex attacker

GARDAÍ in Mayo have launched a major investigation after a young woman was the victim of a violent sexual assault on her way home from a nightclub in the early hours yesterday morning.

The 21-year-old female was attacked by the driver of a car who had given her a lift after she left a nightclub in Castlebar at around 2am.

The woman was driven a short distance outside the town to the Snugboro Road. The driver of the car stopped the vehicle before proceeding to subject his passenger to a vicious assault.

Following the attack, the victim was forced out of the car as the vehicle took off in the direction of Westport.

The woman managed to flag down another vehicle and was given a lift home by a young couple in the car.

Gardaí are seeking assistance from people who were leaving the Mantra nightclub and may provide vital information about the identify of the attacker.

The club, which is located on Newantrim Street in Castlebar, is part of the Welcome Inn complex.

Gardaí have asked anyone who was outside the club and saw a young woman wearing a light blue hoodie getting into a car around 2am to contact them.

Gardaí are also seeking to trace the couple who came to the victim’s assistance.

They are in their late teens or early 20s, with the female passenger having blonde hair.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Castlebar gardaí at 094-9038200.