Five youths were being questioned by police last night after the rape of a 14-year-old girl in a caravan in Ballycastle, Co Antrim, early yesterday morning.
The teenager was attacked after the youths broke into her caravan at the Silvercliff holiday village in Ballycastle at 1 a.m. yesterday, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
She was forced to the floor and raped.
Her eight-year-old sister lay asleep in the caravan at the time.
She awoke and disturbed the youths who then ran off.
Police in Ballymoney, Co Antrim, appealed for public assistance in apprehending those responsible.
Anyone who noticed anything suspicious around the caravan or heard sounds of distress at the time should come forward, they urged.
Local SDLP councillor Ms Madeline Black said she was horrified that such an incident should take place.
"People in Ballycastle have a very close relationship with the holidaymakers, many of whom have been coming here year after year. They are devastated that this should happen," she said.
Ms Black understood that the girl was deeply traumatised by the rape and that it would take some time before she would be in a position to give a full account of the attack to the police.
She called on everyone in Ballycastle to co-operate fully with the police as they investigated the rape.
