Image of alleged Athy rapist prompts response

Gardaí have received "assistance" from the public after releasing an image of a suspect connected to an alleged rape in Athy. 

The alleged incident happened at approximately 7.30pm on 13 October 2024 when the victim was walking on the River Barrow walkway. She was approached by a man who dragged her to the ground and attacked her. After the incident, the suspect ran away in the direction of Athy town.

The physical description is of a man in his early to mid-30s of around 6ft 2 to 6ft 4 in height, with a very thin build, a long, guant face with sunken cheeks and stubble, big nose, distinctive eyes, dark brown hair and a north Kildare/Dublin accent. 

The man was said to have worn all black clothing and a peak cap on the night of the attack. Gardaí opted to reach out to the public via RTÉ’s Crime Call after they “utilised all mechanisms to identify” a suspected rapist, according to KFM.

Gardaí said that they received “assistance” from the public since the release of the Evofit, and are urging anyone with information to come forward. Questions around the gap between the attack and its publication three months later have been circulating in the public domain and online, with many locals feeling frustrated and worried for their safety after only hearing about the incident last week.

The garda press office was contacted for comment, but had not yet responded at the time of going to print. Anyone with information can contact Kildare Town Garda Station on 045 527730.