Gardaí are appealing to a man who went to the aid of a woman after she was seriously assaulted in Athlone at the weekend to come forward as a witness in the case.
While detectives are following a definite line of inquiry and have arrested a suspect, who was being questioned on Wednesday, they are still appealing for witnesses to come forward.
They say the ‘good Samaritan’ was on the scene immediately when the assault occurred and believe he saw the attacker.
The incident occurred in the Co Westmeath town between midnight last Friday into 12.30am on Saturday beside Athlone Castle on the banks of the River Shannon.
After the woman was assaulted, her male attacker fled the scene on foot while another man went to the victim’s aid. He stayed with the injured woman until her friends arrived to help her.
However, the man then left the scene and now gardaí are trying to trace him as a vital witness in the case.
Gardaí in Athlone said they were appealing for anyone who was in the area around Athlone Castle around the time of the attack, especially if they witnessed the incident, to come forward.
“In particular, gardaí are anxious to speak to the male who came to the assistance of the injured party and waited with her until her friends arrived,” a Garda statement said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact investigating gardaí in Athlone station on 090 649 8550 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
