Investigation team doubled in search for brutal sex attacker

GARDAÍ have doubled the size of the investigation team hunting a man who subjected a woman to a brutal sexual assault as she walked home from bingo.

Twenty-five gardaí working on the case yesterday were following several lines of inquiry into the savage and prolonged attack on the woman in Charleville, north Cork, on Sunday night.

Supt Pat McCarthy said they have been getting great co-operation from the public but still appealed to anyone with any information to contact them.

Over 30 statements have been taken, while detectives continued door-to-door inquiries and examined CCTV footage from nearby premises.

Supt McCarthy said the victim, who is in her 60s, is recovering.

“It was a terrible ordeal, but she is strong. She is getting support from family and friends and we have a liaison officer working closely with her,” he said.

The woman was walking home alone in the Turrets area of the town when she was grabbed from behind. She was dragged into a dark driveway, where she was beaten about the head, face and body, before being sexually assaulted. The assault lasted about 20 minutes before the attacker fled the scene on foot.

The badly injured woman made her way to the road, where she flagged down a passing motorist, who brought her to Charleville Garda Station.

The attacker is described as in his mid-20s, with a strong build and a round face. He was wearing a hoodie and jeans, was clean-shaven, and spoke with an Irish accent.

Anyone with information should contact gardaí on 063-81222 or at Mallow Garda Station on 022-21105.