THE GARDA has taken the unusual step of officially denying media reports that suggested a serial attacker has been targeting female joggers and young mothers pushing buggies.
A statement from Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin, said while one attack on a woman in a west Dublin park was being investigated, rumours about a series of attacks in the wider area were without foundation.
It said the rumours began circulating on social networking sites and were then reported as fact in some reports in the mainstream media.
“We have no information to indicate that any of these assaults took place or that any woman suffered the injuries reported,” the Garda statement said.
“If anyone has information about any of the alleged incidents, we would ask them to contact gardaí but in the meantime, we are concerned that these rumours are causing unnecessary fear in the local community.”
Some of the reports suggested that women, some pushing buggies, had been assaulted in random attacks in west Dublin.
The Garda statement issued yesterday confirmed a woman in her 20s had been attacked while out jogging in Ballymount Park, Dublin, last Monday morning, May 30th.
At about 11.45am, she was approached by a man who attacked her and tried to drag her into an area away from public view. After a struggle, the man ran away in the direction of the M50.
The woman managed to raise the alarm and was taken to Tallaght hospital. She was discharged a short time later.
Her attacker is described as being aged about 30 and was of average height and build. He has short dark hair and was wearing a short leather jacket.
