Sex attacker lured special needs woman from city street

Gardaí are hopeful CCTV footage will help them find the man who sexually assaulted a young women with special needs, whom he lured from a busy city street.

The woman in her 20s, who has Down Syndrome, was attacked after she became separated from her mother while they were out exercising near their home on Wednesday afternoon.

Garda believe she was targeted near Leonard’s Corner on South Circular Road in Dublin at around 4pm and that she was taken to a nearby house or apartment where the assault took place. Her attacker then let her go and the alarm was raised after she made her own way home in a distressed state and told her horrified parents what had happened.

Pat Clarke, chief executive of Down Syndrome Ireland, said the incident would cause huge concern to its members but it should not be allowed to undo the efforts made by families to ensure their loved ones with Down Syndrome had their independence.

Gardaí at Kevin Street are leading the investigation into the attack and are viewing CCTV footage from local premises.

They have also asked any motorist or pedestrian who was in the area between 3.30pm and 5pm and noticed anything suspicious to contact them or the Garda Confidential Line on1800 666 111.