Prison Escapee Is Main Suspect In Rape At Knifepoint In City Centre Apartment

An individual known to Gardaí is thought to be responsible for a violent attack on a woman earlier this week, while on the run from jail.

The incident occurred in the victim's apartment on Cork Street in Dublin 8 on Monday night. The victim was threatened at knifepoint while a sex attack was carried out. She suffered severe injuries to her ribs in the attack and leapt from a balcony in order to escape.

According to Independent.ie, the well-known criminal is now the chief suspect in the case. He was due to appear in court at Cloverhill and has been the subject of a Garda manhunt since his escape one week ago.

There has yet to be any arrests made in connection with the incident but a source told the publication that:

"Gardaí at this stage are confident that they have identified the man responsible for the attack. The places where he normally resides have been searched, but he has not yet been found.

"The victim has injuries to her ribs and is in a bad way and is getting all the support available."

Door-to-door inquiries are also being carried out as part of the investigation and the victim has given a statement to the Gardaí. She has also undergone an examination at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) in Rotunda Hospital.

The suspect has reportedly continued to update his social media account since his escape.

A separate investigation is also being carried out by the Irish Prison Service (IPU) in an effort to determine how the individual escaped.

Gardaí are appealing for potential witnesses to the attack to come forward.