Gardaí have appealed for the public's assistance in their investigation into the discovery of an unconscious woman on a pathway popular with walkers in Donnybrook, Dublin, on Friday evening.
The woman, who lives locally and is in her 30s, was found lying face down by passersby just before 7.30pm. She had a single serious head wound and was removed by ambulance to St Vincent's hospital, from where she was later transferred to Beaumont Hospital. Her condition is described as critical.
The injured woman has been put in a neck brace as a precaution, making a full examination of her body impossible.
However, there were no obvious signs that she had been sexually assaulted and a number of items she had at the time were found at the scene.There is no known history of attacks in the area.
Supt Kieran Kenny of Donnybrook Garda station said the woman was found in a laneway known locally as the "Dodder walk", between the Dodder river and Herbert Park. He said it is used as an exercise route or as a shortcut between Donnybrook village and Ballsbridge.
"At this point in time we don't have any information which might suggest that she fell and injured herself, or that something more sinister may have taken place. We are keeping a very open mind at this stage," he said.
The woman was out walking at the time on the Dodder walk, a route she walked a number of times each week. She was wearing a black tracksuit and a pair of trainers.
Supt Kenny said gardaí want to speak to anybody who may have seen the woman in the area, or who were around Herbert Park, Donnybrook, Ballsbridge, or Anglesea Road between 6pm and 7.30pm on Friday evening.
They are particularly keen to speak to anybody who may have seen anything unusual in the area at the time. Gardaí in Donnybrook have established an incident room which is contactable on (01) 6669255.
