The investigation into an alleged serious assault of a British woman during the Bank Holiday weekend is continuing with a man still being held for questioning last night and an appeal for two taxi drivers to come forward with information.
A man, in his early twenties, who is believed not to be a native of Galway but has an address in the city, was arrested in connection with the incident at about 9.30pm on Tuesday in Killarney and taken to Galway Garda Station where he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
As this paper was going to press yesterday evening, a spokesperson for Galway Garda Station confirmed that investigating gardai were continuing to question the man in relation to the alleged incident, which was described at this stage as a “physical attack”.
It is believed the period of detention and questioning continued overnight and that the man could be brought before the courts this morning, alternatively he could be released, depending on the directions received from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The incident was first reported to gardai last Sunday at around 10am and as a result a full investigation was initiated. The woman, in her early twenties and believed to be from Liverpool, had been in Galway city with friends to celebrate a hen party on Saturday night. After socialising the woman took a taxi at approximately 3.40am along with a man from Eyre Square, near to Coyotes nightclub. According to gardai the taxi dropped the woman and the man at an address at Clifton Crescent/Clifton Park area of Newcastle where the assault later took place in the early hours of Sunday.
The woman alleges that following the attack she managed to escape and make her way to a nearby house where she raised the alarm. The woman who sustained a number of injuries was brought to University Hospital Galway for treatment and was later released on Sunday.
Gardai are continuing their appeal for information and are particularly anxious to speak with the taxi driver who carried the woman and the man to Clifton Crescent/Clifton Court. Gardai are also anxious to speak with another taxi driver who may have information in relation to the assault. This taxi driver had been driving a 04 red Toyota Aventis and picked up a fare from outside the Eyre Square Hotel, Forster Street, at 3.18am. As part of this appeal gardai have issued a description of the woman involved, stating that she has a distinctive UK accent and had been wearing a red play suit, off the shoulder on one side, and black shoes. She is approximately 5’4” in height, with brown hair which was tied up in a ponytail. The man is described as being between 5’6” and 5’8” in height, of thin build, with short brown hair. He was clean shaven and wore blue jeans, a white shirt, and white runners.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Galway Garda Station on 091 538000.
