Sexual Assault Investigation – Macroom Co.Cork

The Gardaí at Macroom are investigating a Sexual Assault incident on 29th March 2024, shortly before 5pm. The teenage victim left her residence and walked the short distance to Macroom, walking along New Street towards the centre of the town.

As she approached the bridge over the River Sullane (Castle Street), she noticed a man (suspect) sitting on a low wall, looking at his phone. He was facing her direction as she crossed at the pedestrian crossing. As she walked over the bridge, she became aware of footsteps close behind. She saw the man who had been sitting on the wall walking along behind her.

As she had almost crossed the bridge, the suspect passed the victim and walked a few steps ahead of her towards North Square. The suspect stopped briefly at a bank ATM as the victim continued walking on the main footpath, walking past several business premises.

The suspect by walking on the road at the Square, managed to once again get ahead of the victim, only to stop as if browsing in a shop window, allowing the victim to get in front of him again.

Shortly after, the victim reached the door of a hotel and entered. The suspect walked past while looking in the direction of the victim. A few seconds later, he turned back, followed the victim through the hotel. When the victim reached the exit door she was approached by the suspect -this the scene of the incident. (Details of which are not being released for operational reasons).

The suspect then went through the hotel car park, and continued into a nearby shopping centre car park where he began to run and take off his hoodie top, exposing a Liverpool training top (2019). The suspect turned right in the direction of the square, continuing back across the bridge returning to the low wall on Castle street.

Suspect description:

• Age - Probably in his 30s
• Medium height and build
• Dark hair
• Black pullover hoodie
• Dirty grey/black work trousers)
• Liverpool jersey (‘AXA’ across the chest and Liverpool crest on left hand side)
• Clean, white Nike runners (Black Nike tick)
• Possible stubble

Garda appeal:

• Do you think you might know the identity of the suspect? Perhaps you have considered that he may just finished work nearby and was waiting on a lift, with wearing the Liverpool training top and clean white runners?
• Do you recall dropping off or picking up someone matching this description at this time, in this location?
• Do you recall receiving a video via mobile phone of an incident around this time, similar to the actions taken here?
• If you are in a position to assist the investigation Gardaí would like to assure you that you will be treated with sensitivity.