Forensic search of isolated Kilkenny laneway where girl (17) was attacked
Gardai this morning carried out a forensic seach of the county Kilkenny landeway where a teenage girl was attacked yesterday.
A manhunt is currently underway after the 17-year-old victim was attacked while out walking shortly before lunchtime in the Johnstown area. A man, described as being in his 40s with an Irish accent and carrying a sharp implement, grabbed the girl. But after a brief struggle the girl managed to escape her attacker and raise the alarm.
Gardai believe it may have been an attempted abduction.
The scene off the R639 that links Johnstown to Cullohill remained sealed off this morning.
A Garda spokesperson said in a statement yesterday: “Gardaí in Kilkenny are investigating the circumstances of an incident between a teenage girl and an unknown male which took place near Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny today shortly after 12pm. The girl was approached by the male and assaulted before the man left the scene.”
Gardaí have appealed to anyone 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.
