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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Stephen Maguire

Gardaí still baffled by Donegal mystery assault as they continue to interview two suspects

Two suspects arrested for the alleged serious assault of a missing person in Co Donegal continue to be quizzed by gardaí this evening.

A massive search was sparked in the Slieve League area after Gardai received information that a person had been assaulted by the pair.

The suspects, a man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s, were arrested by Gardai on Sunday last.

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It followed a tip-off to Gardai by a third party who claims she had been told of an incident which led Gardai to believe that a man had been seriously injured by the pair.

The man who is allegedly missing is from Northern Ireland but was staying with the man and woman in recent days in south-west Donegal. It is alleged that a row broke out between the three people and that the man from Northern Ireland was seriously assaulted.

The tip-off led Gardai to launch a massive search involving the Irish Coast Guard, the Rescue 118 helicopter and members of the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team at Slieve League, the setting of Europe's highest sea cliffs.

Gardai sealed off access to the area which is normally very busy with tourists at this time of year. Despite the extensive search over the past two days however, nothing has been found.

The area at Sliabh Liag where gardaí and the Coast Guard are searching for a missing person (Joe Dunne)

On Tuesday night, the search was once again called off. The various search parties are due to meet tomorrow morning to decide what action to take in the coming days.

As part of the investigation Gardaí also seized and are examining a blood splattered car. A key part of the investigation will be forensic evidence being taken from the car suspected of being central to the investigation.

Gardai have recovered forensic samples from the car which include blood. A warrant to examine the car was granted by Judge Brendan O'Reilly at Monday's sitting of Letterkenny District Court.

Since then Gardai have been examining the car as they try to form a bigger picture of what exactly may have happened.

A house in the Killybegs area has also been sealed off since Monday. Forensics officers are at the house and are carrying out a search of the property.

The man and the woman, who both have links to Co Donegal, were arrested on Sunday. They are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at local Garda stations in Co. Donegal.

The man is being detained at Letterkenny Garda Station while the woman is being held at Ballyshannon Garda Station. Gardaí are appealing to any person who may have information in relation to the alleged assault incident to contact them.

Any road users who were travelling in the vicinity of Slieve League between Saturday evening, 24th June 2023 and Sunday evening, 25th June 2023, and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballyshannon Garda Station on 071 985 8530, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

UPDATE - Tuesday, 9pm - It's understood the pair have been released without charge with a file being sent to the DPP

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