American student raped in Galway city

Gardaí in Galway are searching for a man who raped an American student in the city in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The girl, in her early twenties, met the suspect a short time before the attack, officers said today. He bought her a rose in the city centre as they walked together but attacked her on Upper Canal Road between 2.30 a.m. and 3.15 a.m.

Gardaí appealed for witnesses today after it emerged the girl walked with the man along Shop Street, Eglington Street, by the Court House, across the Salmon Weir Bridge and then along University Road to Upper Canal Street.

The scene was examined by Garda technical officers. The victim was treated by a doctor after the attack.

The man, also in his early twenties, is described as being about five foot, eight inches in height. He had light brown or light-coloured hair shaved to the scalp. He spoke with a foreign accent, possibly Eastern European, and had a small mark, possibly a scar or birthmark on his right eye. He also smokes.

Gardaí are appealing to anybody who was in Galway city centre on Valentines night or early on Sunday morning and may be of help to contact Galway Garda Station (091-538000).