Gardaí probe alleged gang rape of girl, 17

GARDAÍ were yesterday investigating an alleged gang rape of a teenage girl in north Dublin.

The 17-year-old claims to have been assaulted by three young men in waste land in Blanchardstown early last Tuesday morning.

The girl claims one of the men was wielding a knife during the alleged rape, which took place between 5am and 6.30am behind Mountview shopping centre.

A garda spokesman yesterday confirmed they were investigating the matter, but could not disclose too many details to the protect the girl’s identity.

“The matter is under investigation.

“It is an allegation. It is being fully investigated,” said Det Insp Brian Sherry, of Blanchardstown Garda Station.

He said they were awaiting forensic analysis of the scene, as well as a full medical report.

The teenager was brought to the Sexual Assault Unit at the Rotunda Hospital for an examination.

“These things take time. We haven’t left any stone unturned. The places are being examined, a search team is out, forensics are being carried out, a scenes-of-crime unit was dispatched,” said Det Insp Sherry.

“The full rigours of investigation are behind it. But we are also treating it with sensitivity for the sake of the young girl and her parents and family.”

The area where the alleged rape took place is well known locally and is often used as a short cut between neighbouring estates.

Det Insp Sherry said that while there was lighting on Mountview Road, where the shopping centre is located, it was dark behind the shops and in the playing fields.

He said officers were viewing footage from CCTV cameras in the area.

He said they had established where the teenager was coming from and where she was going to.

The young girl assisted gardaí in drawing up a compu-fit of the three alleged attackers, but officers are not yet releasing these.

Det Insp Sherry said the men were aged 18-20 and wearing casual clothes.

One of the men is described as having black hair, the second fair hair and the third brown hair.

Gardaí are not following any definite line of inquiry.

“We’re obviously looking for anyone in the area between 4am and 6.30am, anyone hanging around the area or anyone who might know any information that could be of assistance to us.”

The Blanchardstown Garda Station can be contacted on 01-6667000.