Fear: The scene of the attack in Clondalkin in west Dublin
Women in a busy city suburb are living in fear that a violent rapist will strike again.
The savage attack, which shocked even senior detectives, has struck terror into the hearts of women living in Clondalkin in west Dublin since it happened on September 3.
Detectives are so fearful of the suspect that checkpoints and a large Garda presence have become a common sight around the busy village.
In the west Dublin village, where Dublin manager Jim Gavin grew up, dozens of little blue flags flutter in front of the Clondalkin Round Tower GAA pitches on Monastery Road.
But the leafy entrance to a quiet estate just across the road has become a place where locals shudder as they walk by – thinking of the girl raped here weeks earlier who was lucky to escape alive.
It is the scene of one of the most vicious sex attacks detectives have come across in years – where the victim has survived.
The attack took place at around 1.40am on Thursday, September 3. She was brought to the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in the Rotunda Hospital for treatment to her injuries.
The attacker flung his victim so hard against a car that its windscreen shattered. Gardaí are appealing for people with any information to come forward.
Four years previously an attempted attack was carried out yards from the current crime scene in the same estate, sparking fears that the rapist came back for unfinished business.
A unit armed with 20 detectives was immediately put into place to catch the attacker, with nightly checkpoints on cars in the area.
A source told Sunday World: “There is a real sense of fear in the village. Women in the area are afraid to even go for a walk in the mornings after the school run because of the attack. Nobody feels safe.”
One neighbour said: “I woke up to find the road had turned into a crime scene. Two cars were taken for examination and a skip. The attacker pushed her so hard against a car that a window was broken – imagine the force he used.
“The idea of this happening here is dreadful. We are all devastated that this could happen here right on our doorstep and that we didn’t hear anything. We are all losing a lot of sleep over it.
“It is a quiet road and we all value our safety. The Gardaí are very determined – I have to hand it to them.
“I hope they catch him so that people can start going for walks without looking over their shoulders all the time.”
Hundreds of statements have been taken in the area.
Despite regular Garda checkpoints, extensive examination and questioning, detectives have not yet made an arrest – only adding to the sense of fear.
People before Profit councillor Gino Kenny labelled the incident “truly horrific”.
“Obviously my sympathies go to the victim at this horrific time,” he added.