Gardaí probe alleged assault

GARDAÍ are trying to track down up to four youths who carried out an alleged assault on a 15-year-old girl.

The child has been left “traumatised” by the alleged attack, which occurred on Tuesday, November 15, in Athlone, Co Westmeath.

The girl, accompanied by her parents, reported the matter to gardaí a couple of days after the event.

Gardaí would not comment on media reports that the girl was allegedly raped and stressed they were treating it as an alleged assault.

A major investigation has been set up and extensive house-to-house inquiries have been taking place in the Monkland area, on the western edge of the town.

The alleged attack occurred between 7pm and 8pm, after the girl left a friend’s house and began walking a couple of hundred yards to her own home.

The route is on the Old Tuam Road, between Ceathrú na gCloch housing estate and the Monkland community centre. It is described by gardaí as a “reasonably busy” road.

In her statement, the girl said she passed a group of five or six youths on the road.

Gardaí said the girl claimed she was set upon by up to four youths and was then “removed” from the path to another area and allegedly assaulted.

The girl then made her own way home.

As of yet, they have not been able to identify any possible suspects.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have seen a group of youths in the area at that time to contact them.

Contact Athlone Garda Station on 090 6498550 and the Garda Confidential Line on 1-800-666-111.