A manhunt was launched yesterday for a thug who attacked a 17-year-old girl while she was walking down a laneway in broad daylight.
The brave teen screamed and fought him off before he fled through nearby fields near Johnstown, Co Kilkenny. The attack came just three weeks after teacher Ashling Murphy was killed while jogging.
Local councillor Pat Fitzpatrick said: “There is just absolute shock that this incident happened in broad daylight in a beautiful part of north east Kilkenny.”
Investigators believe at this stage that the attack was random in nature and are working to establish a motive including if it was an attempted abduction but have not ruled out other possibilities.
The girl, who was on a day off from school, was able to give gardai a detailed description of the attacker after she was treated at St Luke’s General Hospital for shock and a minor injury.
Investigators say he is best described, at this time, as a white male in his 40s with an Irish accent and was also wearing dark clothes at the time of the attack.
Detectives will speak to the girl again today as the huge probe continues.
The victim was last night being comforted by her family after being released from hospital.
Gardai remained at the scene last night as the Air Support and Canine Units assisted in searches.
The incident happened less than three weeks after teacher Ashling Murphy was killed as she went for a jog. A man is before the courts charged with her murder.
“I’m absolutely appalled and shocked that this has happened and so closely to the time of the what we know happened in Tullamore.”
He added: “My thoughts are with the young girl and her family and hope she has a speedy recovery. And if anyone has any knowledge of the incident that happened, they would contact gardai immediately.”
Gardai were last night knocking on doors and recovering CCTV from the area in a bid to gather evidence.
A garda spokesman said: “Gardai are appealing for any person travelling on the R639 between Johnstown and The Gallops (a minor road also known locally as Cullinanes Lane), Ballyspellan between 11am and 12.15pm, particularly any person with any video footage (dashcam or other recording device) to contact Gardaí at Kilkenny at 056 7775000, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. “
