GARDAĺ are appealing for information after a young woman was attacked with a metal bar while out walking in Newbridge.

The woman, who lives locally and is in her 20s, was walking along Station Road at around 11.15pm on Monday night of last week when she was approached by a hooded male.

The man started to follow her before striking the woman several times with a shiny metal bar and grabbing her handbag. He then jumped into a dark-coloured Mitsubishi Colt that is described as having a loud exhaust. The car left in the direction of Newbridge town.

The man is described as being tall and was wearing a dark jacket with his hood up and dark blue-coloured pants.

Two days after the incident, gardaí arrested a 23-year-old man from County Kildare and questioned him about the attack. He was detained at Newbridge Garda Station and interviewed in relation to the matter but was later released and no charges were made.

“A file will go to the DPP in due course,” said a spokesman for the gardaí.