Six-year-old girl raped in the west

A six-year-old girl is to undergo major surgery after she was brutally raped.

Reports in this morning’s Sunday Tribune say the child, who is a member of the travelling community, was rushed to University Hospital Galway for emergency surgery before being transferred to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin.

It is understood the girl suffered massive blood loss.

The vicious attack happened when a man took the girl from her home in the middle of the night. He brought her to a nearby location where he raped her before returning the child to her caravan.

It is believed the attacker was known to the girl's family.

Gardaí were alerted to the assault when the child's mother returned home and saw her daughter's injuries. Detectives sealed off the area where the attack is believed to have taken place.

A man in his 20s was arrested and is has been remanded in Castlerea prison. Gardaí are preparing a book of evidence.

The little girl reportedly suffered bowel damage as well as extensive injuries to her genital area.

She is due to undergo further surgery in the next few weeks.