Second random violent attack on female walker
By Mary Dennehy & Aura McMenamin
GARDAI are investigating after a woman was held down and kicked while walking in the Knocklyon area on January 5, the second random, violent attack on a female walker in the space of a week.
On December 28, a girl in her late teens was assaulted by a man while walking on Daletree Avenue, Ballycullen.
According to reports, the teenager was allegedly punched in the face by a man in a red hoodie while walking towards Parklands at around 6pm on Thursday, December 28.
It is believed that the man approached the teenager before hitting her in the face and fleeing in the direction of Daletree Road.
A Garda spokesman confirmed the incident to The Echo, and that a “female received non-life threatening injuries as a result”.
A week later on January 5, a woman in her twenties was held down and kicked by a man as she walked home through Dalriada in Knocklyon.
The Echo understands that the woman was walking to her home in Dalriada Park at approximately 9pm when she was allegedly pulled to the ground and repeatedly kicked by a man.
According to a Garda spokesperson: “The woman received kicks to her side while being held violently.”
Garda have confirmed both reported incidents to The Echo, adding that as of yet no arrests have been made.
In recent days, locals have taken to social media to express fears that these two assaults are linked to each other and to similar attacks in the nearby Stocking Lane area last June – when three women were violently assaulted in daylight attacks over the course of five days.
Speaking with The Echo last June, a Garda source said: “The three assaults on women in the Scholarstown area do have similarities… they all have a similar MO [modus operandi] and in each incident there was no attempt to rob.”
However, when asked if the most recent attack in Dalriada was linked to any previous incidents, a Garda spokesperson was unable to provide confirmation.
The attacks last June prompted calls for additional Garda resources to be assigned to the Rathfarnham station while also uniting residents across the areas of Ballycullen, Knocklyon, Woodstown and Scholarstown, who organised a community walk to highlight the issue.
Speaking with The Echo this week, Dublin South West Fianna Fail TD John Lahart said: “This is a source of concern for myself and the gardai, who are anxious to apprehend the culprit.
“In fairness, the gardai seemed to throw everything at the incidents last summer… and I would encourage anybody with information on any of attacks to call Rathfarnham Garda Station.
“Residents have a right to be concerned and people need to mind themselves.
“I would encourage people to exercise caution and not to go out alone where possible.”
He added: “There is an issue in relation to Garda resources that the Government needs to address.
“I understand that there is only one Garda car, which is not always available and I have raised the issue with the Minister in relation to Garda resources for Rathfarnham.”
Contact Rathfarnham Garda Station on 6666500 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
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