Gardai investigating a sex attack case on three teen girls in Wexford
Gardaí have gathered a list of names of those who they're trying to track down in Co. Kilkenny after three juvenile girls were sexually assaulted in Wexford last weekend.
Detectives believe that these individuals may have been directly involved in the attack or were with a number of men who carried it out on Sunday night. More than one man was apparently involved.
Gardaí are investigating claims that at least one 14-year-old girl was raped, and two other girls sexually assaulted. A specialist child interviewer has been hired to conduct the interviews.
A manhunt is ongoing in the Kilkenny area for a number of young men who Gardaí want to question about the attacks, which allegedly took place in the holiday town of Courtown Harbour, Co. Wexford.
The alleged incident happened shortly around midnight in the Burrow area, and the complainants are all young teenage girls. Gardaí are asking anyone who may have information to come forward.
The parents apparently reported to Gardaí that the girls were sexually assaulted on Sunday morning, and three girls made official statements to specialist officers. They were also brought to a sexual assault unit for treatment.
The girls are originally from the Dublin area, according to The Independent, and the attacks allegedly happened close to the beach in the north Wexford seaside village.
Gardaí were last night desperately trying to make contact with a number of suspects based in Kilkenny, and the area where the attacks allegedly happened were sealed off on Sunday while an exam took place.
"Each of the alleged victims was subjected to a different type of sexual assault," a senior source said last night.
"The alleged victims are fully co-operating with the investigation which is being treated in the most sensitive way," the source added.
Gardaí are particularly appealing to anyone who was in the Burrow area between 10pm on Saturday night and 2am on Sunday morning who saw any suspicious behaviour to contact Gardaí in Gorey on 053 943 0690 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
Gardaí are not releasing any further information “due to the sensitive nature of the incident” but a senior source described the claims as 'credible'.
A garda spokesperson said: “Owing to the nature of the alleged incidents and ages of those involved we will not be commenting further at this time.” Enquiries are ongoing, but no arrests have been made so far in the case.
