Gardai in Salthill are investigating the rape of a 20-year-old French au pair. She was making her way home to a Galway suburb in the early hours of Monday morning when attacked.
The young woman, from Brittany, had been socialising with a friend on Sunday night and was walking home. It is believed that she was stalked by her attacker, who had apparently followed her for some time before eventually catching up with her just past the Spinnaker Hotel.
They engaged in a brief conversation before the man attacked and raped her in an open area at Carragh Hill, between 12.40 and 12.50 a.m.
The man has been described as 5 11["] tall, clean-shaven, with short brown hair and broad shoulders, and in his mid-20s. He was said to be quite fit and strong. He was wearing a brown leather or denim jacket, and trousers of a lighter shade.
According to investigating gardai, it is likely that the man left Salthill at about midnight and walked along the promenade in the Knocknacarra direction.
"It was quite a vicious attack," a Garda spokesman said. "This young woman, who had only been in Galway a very short time, was obviously followed for some time before being set upon.
"We are sure that the attacker was seen as he walked from Salthill in the direction of Knocknacarra on Sunday night, although we believe it was quieter than usual that night," he added.
Gardai have set up an incident room in Salthill and anyone with information which might help the investigation can contact (091) 523265.