Gardai investigating the rape of an eight-year-old girl in Cork on April 25th have renewed their appeal to two people seen in the area shortly before the assault to contact them with a view to eliminating them from their inquiries.
According to Supt P.J. Brennan, gardai would still like to talk to a young man in his early 20s seen sitting in a pre-1987 red Toyota Carina car parked outside the Dillon Arms public house at Dillons Cross at around 5.40 p.m.
Gardai also want to interview another young man - described as being strongly built and in his 20s - who went into a number of pubs in the area where he may have bought some small bottles of spirits.
Supt Brennan also urged anyone who may have knowledge of the rapist to contact the Garda in confidence so that the man can receive treatment. He was confident that some family member must have been aware of the rapist's identity.
"Somebody out there knows who committed this terrible crime - some member of their family will have noticed a change of behavioural pattern - I would appeal to them to contact us so that this person can get treatment."
Supt Brennan ruled out suggestions that gardai were considering releasing a photo-fit picture of the attacker. "We're still very hopeful of successfully solving this depraved crime - we're in it for the long haul - it will require great patience and tenacity on our part but we're prepared for that," Supt Brennan said.
Elsewhere in Cork, gardai have urged parents to be vigilant following reports of two weekend incidents in which attempts were made to abduct a nine-year-old boy in Midleton and a 13-year-old girl in Blackrock.
Midleton gardai are searching for a man who drove up beside the boy in the Avoncore Place estate in the town last Saturday morning. The man asked the boy to get into the car. When the boy refused, the man followed him but the boy ran to safety.
Gardai have described the driver as being middle-aged. It is believed his car was either a black Volvo or Volkswagen Vento.
Gardai in Blackrock are investigating a similar type of incident in Ashleigh Drive in which, on Saturday afternoon, a 13-year-old girl was asked for directions by a man in a white Honda Civic car. The man then asked her to get into the car with him but she refused and ran to a friend's house.
The man was described as being in his 40s, of heavy build and wearing a grey jumper and jeans.