The reported sighting of a man matching the description of the Athlone attacker in a Dublin train station is one of many possible sightings that have been reported, according to Athlone Gardai.
According to a report in yesterday’s Evening Herald, a man bearing a strong resemblance to a photofit of the Athlone attacker was spotted in Castleknock train station. The man is reported to have waved a kitchen knife at a group of youths in the station, saying he would “use it on women”. One of the young men noticed the similarity after he heard about the Athlone attacker and saw the photofit.
However, Athlone Gardai have refused to comment on this particular sighting, saying all leads are treated equally. “There have been a number of possible sightings of suspects, and this one would have to be investigated the same as any other,” Sgt John Lawless told the Advertiser yesterday.
Meanwhile investigators continue to follow up the large number of calls which were received as a result of the appearance of Garda Superintendent Aidan Glacken on RTE’s Crimecall programme last week.
Over 1,000 lines of enquiry have already been pursued by Gardai as part of their investigation into the two attacks on women in Athlone in recent weeks, as well as three assaults in the Bonavalley area of Athlone last year.
A ‘Reclaim the Night’ candlelit walk has been organised to take place on Wednesday October 15, which will leave Athlone Institute of Technology at 8pm and pass over Bonavalley Bridge, close to where four of the five attacks on women since August 2007 have taken place.
All five attacks have been described as “serious assaults”, though Gardai have not identified a definite link between the attacks. They are seeking a man described as being between 5’8 and 5’10 in height, of slim or athletic build, and with dark hair and distinctive, deep-set eyes. Dark clothing and a distinctive, overpowering smell, which was described as something akin to ‘Joop’ aftershave, were also noted.
Anyone with any information regarding the attacks is asked to contact Athlone Garda Station at (090 ) 6492609.
