Young au pair bravely fought off burglar

A young au pair, in the country for just a couple of weeks, was subjected to a violent assault during an aggravated burglary in south Dublin yesterday morning.

The woman, a 23-year-old from Spain, bravely fought off her attacker and inflicted scratch marks on his face and a cut to a right finger.

Gardaí said the scratch marks “should still be fresh” and they put out an appeal, along with other descriptions, in the hope someone may have seen the man.

He is described as aged between 40 and 50, of average height with short hair. He has a very thin face, pock-marked complexion and pale skin. He was clean shaven. Gardaí said the man spoke with an Irish accent.

He was wearing black clothing and possibly a sleeveless jacket. He also wore a dark coloured baseball cap and dark sunglasses throughout the incident.

“The man received a number of scratches to his face during the incident and a cut to his right index finger,” said a Garda spokesman. “These wounds should still be fresh.”

The terrifying attack took place at around 11.20am on Monday at a house in the Osprey/Orwell area of Templeogue.

It is thought that a number of people were coming and going to the property and this may have been associated with the business operated by one of the couple who own the house.

Gardaí believe the woman, who was only in the country a couple of weeks, had let the man into the house thinking he had a legitimate reason to be there.

It is not yet clear what unfolded, but the woman may have become suspicious about the man. He assaulted her, during which she managed to fight back and scratch his face and finger. This may have spooked the man, as he fled without stealing anything. He was not armed with any implement during the attack and gardaí are satisfied there was no sexual element to the assault.

“It was a very frightening experience for the woman,” said a Garda source.

Investigating gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact Terenure Garda Station on 01-6666400, the Garda Confidential Line, 1800 666111 or any Garda Station.