A MAN is expected to appear before the courts as early as this morning to answer charges relating to the rape of an 86-year-old woman who was subjected to a lengthy ordeal in her home in the early hours of Monday morning. The chief suspect in the case is well known to gardaí.
He was at the centre of a criminal trial in the 1990s which resulted in his conviction and inclusion on the sex offenders’ register.
The victim of the attack was alone in her house close to Monaghan town centre early on Monday when she went to answer a call at the door. The man at first demanded money, then raped her.
Gardaí believe the incident began some time after midnight and lasted until about 7.30am when the attacker fled, enabling the woman to contact family members, who live locally. They then contacted gardaí.
The victim was immediately taken to the sexual assault unit in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, for examination.
She has since returned to Monaghan and is recovering with her family. She has been able to speak to gardaí about her ordeal.
Detectives began a search for the suspect around a number of properties in Monaghan town early on Monday. They found the suspect asleep at one property and arrested him. He was taken to Monaghan Garda station where he was still being questioned late last night under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
The suspect is in his late 30s and has recently been living with his wife and children, close to the victim’s home.
Although the victim has told gardaí she believes the attack lasted for about eight hours, gardaí believe it most likely took place over a shorter time frame, and that the attacker called to the victim’s house later than she realised.
“She was obviously traumatised and confused,” said one Garda source. “It was an awful ordeal for her. Even 10 minutes of what she went through would have been a dreadful experience for a woman of any age.”
The mayor of Co Monaghan, Matt Carthy, said he was “sickened” to think that such an elderly woman could have been subjected to a prolonged rape attack in her own home.
“I hope that the person responsible is brought to justice. I would plead with anybody who has any information about this case to report it to gardaí immediately.”
Gardaí in Monaghan town can be contacted on 047-77200.
