Irish backpacker attacked in Australia

An Irish backpacker has been involved in an attempted attack in the Australian city of Perth.

The West Australian newspaper said the 19-year-old Irish woman escaped from an assailant in the western city.

The woman, who was not identified - but is believed to be from Co Wexford - told the paper she fought off a man who jumped out of a parked car, struck her and tried to drag her into the vehicle on Friday.

Meanwhile, police in eastern Australia are continuing their search for clues into the death of British teenager Caroline Stuttle.

In the small town of Bundaberg, where Miss Stuttle was pushed from a bridge last week, police placed a life-size mannequin wearing the brown skirt and blue top worn by the teenager from York on the night of her death, in the hope of getting tips from the public.

The 19-year-old's body was found last Wednesday under a 32ft high bridge in the small farming town.

Police believe she was pushed to her death after a struggle with a robber who stole her handbag.

A local drifter is being questioned in connection with the apparent robbery and murder but has not been charged.

The attacks and a deadly fire two years ago at a backpackers’ hostel, in whick Limerick native Julie O'Keeffe died, have raised concerns about the safety of young travellers in Australia.

An itinerant fruit picker was convicted of arson and murder and is serving a life sentence.