Gardaí prepare file for DPP over alleged rape of minor

GARDAÍ are preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions following the arrest of a man who is alleged to have raped a minor.

The teenage victim reported the allegation in the early hours of December 27 last. She told gardaí she had been socialising at a disco in Mallow where she first met her alleged attacker.

The teenager left the disco at around 2.30am and reportedly decided to get some food.

After leaving the disco. the man spoke to her again and walked with her as far as Hibernian Way, near the town’s Tesco supermarket where she has alleged the rape occurred.

A short time later, she came across a person who brought her to Mallow Garda Station.

Gardaí immediately took her to the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit at the South Infirmary/Victoria University Hospital in Cork.

Superintendent Pat McCarthy, who is leading the garda investigation, said the teenager didn’t know her attacker so it took gardaí some time to establish his identity.

“We had to trace him through CCTV footage. A lot of work went into the investigation. Up to eight gardaí were involved in it,” Supt McCarthy said.

Gardaí have since questioned a 21-year-old man who is not from Mallow but from another part of north Cork.

“He was arrested and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and taken to Mallow Garda Station for questioning,” Supt McCarthy said.

The man was subsequently released without charge and gardaí are now preparing a file for the DPP.