Man quizzed over assault on woman

A MAN has been arrested and questioned by gardaí about what they believe was a sexually motivated assault on a woman in Cork city centre earlier this week.

The Asian man, who is aged 31, was arrested in the city centre by a garda on motorbike patrol just before 9pm on Wednesday night.

He was first arrested on suspicion of breaches of immigration legislation and was taken to the Bridewell Garda Station.

However, he was released and rearrested for questioning in relation to an assault on a woman on the Old Blackrock Road in the early hours of last Monday.

A woman in her 20s was approached by a man and assaulted at around 2am. She managed to escape uninjured and get home safely. She reported the incident to gardaí the next morning.

Gardaí believe the attack was sexually motivated.

Detectives spent yesterday quizzing the man in relation to that incident. He remained in custody overnight.

The Old Blackrock Road attack was the second such incident in Cork city last Monday.

Another woman was assaulted at around 12.45am as she walked along Evergreen Road.

A man grabbed her from behind and dragged her into Evergreen Court. He assaulted her, but fled a short time later.

Gardaí also believe that incident was sexually motivated. They were given a detailed description of the attacker.

Supt Barry McPolin urged anyone with information on either incident to contact gardaí. He also urged people to report any such incidents as soon as possible so that gardaí can respond immediately.

“We have extra patrols on duty in the city in the run-up to Christmas,” he said.

“We have additional foot and motorbike patrols, backed up by plain clothes and specialist units, as well as the armed response unit on duty. In the event of any incident, we can respond very quickly.”