Cork gardaí investigate alleged sex attack

Gardaí in Cork searching for a man, alleged to have carried out a sexual assault on a young woman, in the southside area of the city last night.

According to the victim, the alleged incident took place at the rear entrance of The Lough church on the Bandon Road at around 2am.

The young woman, who is in her mid twenties, had been making her way home from Grand Parade, when she claims a man approached her looking for a light for a cigarette.

He is then alleged to have forced the woman into the church grounds and assaulted her sexually.

Gardaí at Barrack Street were called to the scene early this morning, and the woman who was in a distressed state was taken to Cork University Hospital to receive treatment. She was unable to provide many details about her attacker.

Gardaí at Anglesea Street station have launched an investigation into the incident and were taking forensic samples at the scene of the alleged attack today.

A garda spokesman said: “This alleged attack was a particularly vicious one and we are appealing to anyone who may have been in the area the time and witnessed or heard anything to come forward.

“People may have been returning home from late night bars or clubs, or taxi drivers may have been passing through the area and noticed something suspicious.”