Gardaí investigating shocking rape of elderly woman in Kerry

Gardaí investigating what has been described as the shocking rape of an elderly lady in her own home in a scenic area in south Kerry have taken statements from a number of people who attended a house party in the village of Sneem on Friday night.

It is understood the party was attended by a large number of people, including locals, holidaymakers, and persons working in the area for the summer.

The sexual assault occurred in the early hours in a rural part of south Kerry a few miles from the village.

Gardaí believe young persons who arrived unexpectedly at the woman’s house about an hour before the attack, after leaving the party in the village, may be able to help them with their inquiries.

It is understood a man entered the woman’s home between 5.30am and 8am.

It is not clear whether the earlier incident in the small hours in which the group of youths apparently surrounded the woman’s house was related to the attack.

However, the woman was frightened by the incident and rang neighbours to alert them. Around an hour later, she was attacked when a man entered her home sometime after 5.30 am.

The woman, who is in her seventies, was brought to the sexual assault examination unit in Cork, more than two hours distance from her home, after she raised the alarm.

Gardaí sealed off the house at the weekend and a forensic examination was carried out. A number of people have been interviewed and Gardaí have taken statements from several people who attended the party. A statement was also been taken from the woman.

The attack is causing anxiety among the local community and yesterday chairman of the Castelcove-Sneem Community Association, Tadgh McCarthy, said the entire district was “shocked, saddened and disgusted”.

He said people living on their own should not be reluctant to ring gardaí, and should do so if they are at all concerned and neighbours should check on people living on their own.

Meanwhile, a second sexual assault, this time in Killarney town, is also being investigated by Killarney gardaí. This alleged attack in a car park occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning.