Man arrested as gardaí investigate alleged sex assault at Rose of Tralee festival

A man in his 40s was arrested by gardaí yesterday following an alleged sexual assault in the build-up to the Rose of Tralee festival.

It was the second alleged sexual assault in Co Kerry within a week following another incident at the Puck Fair in Killorglin.

A file is being prepared by gardaí in relation to that incident.

Meanwhile, in Tralee, a man was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

It is believed the victim is a male with special needs. It is alleged the man was assaulted at Clash in the town as visitors begin to descend last week for the Rose festival.

The incident was believed to have occurred sometime on Thursday night/early Friday.

The victim was removed to a Cork hospital and was examined at a sexual assault treatment unit.

Shortly before the attack, the male victim had visited a public house in Castle Street in Tralee.

Garda investigations over the weekend are believed to have centred on CCTV footage in the Castle Street and Clash areas.

Gardaí are seeking witnesses and said the public can contact Tralee Garda Station on 066-7102300.

Meanwhile, a man arrested in connection with an alleged sexual assault on a woman in the Square, Killorglin, was released without charge.

The alleged incident occurred late on Saturday August 9/early Sunday August 10 just hours before the three-day festival got under way.

Gardaí confirmed a file was being prepared for the DPP