Two arrested as gardaí investigate sex attack
TWO men have been arrested in relation to the alleged sexual assault of a young teenage girl in Ardfert last week.
The assault allegedly occured in broad daylight in the early afternoon of Sunday, February 28, as the girl was walking alone in the vicinity of Ardfert Cathedral.
Gardaí would not confirm local speculation that the girl had been assaulted by more than one male, although two have been arrested and questioned in relation to the horrific attack this week.
The girl was taken for examination to the sexual assault treatment unit in Cork University Hospital as gardaí launched a manhunt for the perpetrator(s).
The investigation initially focused on the examination of the scene of the alleged attack, as forensic gardaí scoured for clues on Monday amid increasing horror and revulsion among villagers as news of the incident spread.
The first major step in the case came on Wednesday with the arrest of a teenager, believed to be from outside the Ardfert area but from the greater locality. He was released later that day without charge.
On Thursday gardaí arrested a second male in connection to the incident. This suspect was also released without charge after being questioning at Tralee Garda Station. He is also believed to be from the north Kerry area.
"A file is currently being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions," a spokesperson for the gardaí told
- DÓNAL NOLAN The Kerryman.
