GARDAÍ HAVE begun a rape investigation after a 16-year-old girl was attacked by a group of teenagers, which included another girl, in Athlone, Co Westmeath.
The alleged attack occurred last Tuesday, November 15th, at an area known locally as Monksland on the old Tuam Road.
Gardaí believe a group of up to four young people were at the scene when the girl was attacked.
The girl has told gardaí that she was raped by one of the youths as the others looked on and may have assisted the alleged attacker by helping to pin down the victim.
One Garda source said the alleged rape occurred when the victim was dragged into an area behind a wall at Monksland, between the Ceathrú na Gloc housing estate and the Monksland community centre.
It is unclear if the girl knew any of the group of four teenagers, although gardaí are hopeful she will be able to identify them as the investigation progresses.
The investigating team in Athlone Garda station believe a number of people were in the area, which is in the middle of a residential location, at the time of the alleged attack and they have urged them to come forward.
One source said local people who were in the area between 7pm and 8pm on the evening in question may have seen the victim or the group of teenagers either just before or after the incident.
The area is a popular spot with joggers and gardaí have asked people to try and recall if they were running there at the time of the attack and, if so, to contact them with any information they may have.
The teenage girl in question is of African origin while the alleged attackers are believed to be local.
However, Garda sources said there was no evidence at this stage to suggest the alleged attack was racially motivated.
The girl has already been spoken to by gardaí and has given them a formal statement of complaint in which she has alleged that one of the group raped her and that he was aided by at least some of the others at the scene.
Garda sources said it was unclear if there were three or four youths among the group.
However, they believe one of the group was a teenage girl.
Anyone with information or anyone who was in the area at the time is asked to contact the incident room at Athlone Garda station on 090-649 8550 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111.