Gardai have questioned crew of the Naval Service flagship LE Eithne about an alleged sexual assault and possible drugging of a young Dublin woman while the ship was in Dublin recently.
Detectives from Dublin travelled to Cobh, Co Cork, yesterday where the ship is tied up to interview the crew and possibly take DNA samples.
The investigation follows an alleged incident on the weekend of April 21st-23rd when the ship was tied up at Sir John Rogerson's Quay in Dublin.
The evening after this alleged incident Able Seaman Brian Gorey of Castletroy View, Limerick, drowned after apparently being assaulted on board the ship. Another crew member is before the courts.
A 22-year-old Dublin woman has made a formal complaint to gardai that she believes she was drugged and sexually assaulted. It is understood that forensic examinations have supported the young woman's claims that there may have been a sexual assault. Forensic experts examined a dress worn by the woman, and detectives yesterday arranged for the taking of DNA samples from crew members.
She has told gardai that she remembers going to the ship and that her next recollection was of waking up at her home the next day.
Garda sources said there was no evidence to link the sailor's death to the alleged sexual assault the previous evening.
The woman went to St James's Hospital on the Saturday and although she told family and friends she believed she had been assaulted, she did not immediately make a formal statement to gardai. However, it is understood she made a formal complaint last week and was interviewed by detectives.
Able Seaman Gorey is the second crewman to die on the LE Eithne in less than a year. In July last year Able Mechanic Robert Dean (20) from Cork city was lost at sea during the ship's return across the Atlantic from a visit to three US ports.
Mr Dean was reported missing after he failed to report for a morning watch on July 20th. The ship turned back on its course 920 miles west of Bantry and began a search. His body was never recovered.
Three Naval Service crewmen were disciplined for drinking on duty shortly before Mr Dean's disappearance, but the Naval Service said there was no evidence to link the two incidents. The Defence Forces have begun an internal disciplinary inquiry into the events on the weekend of April 21st-23rd while the LE Eithne was in Dublin.