Alleged rape of girl, 13, for DPP

GARDAÍ are to send a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions after a 13-year-old girl from Co Cork alleged she had been raped.

A senior garda confirmed, following the complaint, a 17-year-old youth had been arrested and questioned at length about the allegation.

The girl alleged she had been raped at a house in the east Cork area on December 13 last. Gardaí were notified of the incident after the girl, who was taken to a Garda station by her mother, made a formal complaint. She was questioned at length by specially trained officers.

Gardaí said they treated the allegation seriously and the victim was immediately taken to the sexual assault unit at the South Infirmary/Victoria University Hospital where she was medically examined before being discharged.

The medical evidence will form part of the file which is to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Gardaí say they arrested the youth and took him to Midleton Garda Station where they questioned him for approximately six hours.

He was subsequently released without charge.