Teenage girl attacked by man while out walking in county Kilkenny
Gardai are hunting for a man after a teenage girl was attacked whle she was walking in county Kilkenny.
The incident occurred shortly before lunchtime in the Johnstown area.
It is understood the victim, who is in her late teens, was allegedly assaulted before the suspect fled the scene.
The teenager’s physical injuries have been described as minor.
Gardaí are carrying out searches in the area as part of their inquiries and a Garda helicopter has been deployed in a bid to track down the attacker.
A Garda spokesperson confirmed this evening: “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.”
The teenager was taken to St Luke’s General Hospital Kilkenny and treated for shock and a physical injury.
Investigating gardaí have carried out an initial interview with the girl.
Gardai said the male is described as a white male in his 40s with an Irish accent.
Gardaí are continuing to carry out enquiries and recover CCTV from the area.
They 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.
