Gardaí investigating more than 100 rapes and sexual assaults

Chief Superintendent Tom Curley has confirmed there are 109 “investigations ongoing” into reported rapes and sexual assaults.

He expressed confidence that progress would be made in relation to the cases – and he has ploughed additional resources into solving the crimes.

He said he reviewed 165 incidents of rape and sexual assaults reported in the Galway Garda Division from 2018 to 2019.

Of these, 109 investigations are ongoing, he said. “In only three cases, no suspect has been identified,” he said.

There was no evidence in eight cases; in a further eight cases the complaints were withdrawn; and 25 incidents were being dealt with in the juvenile system.

Chief Supt Curley said “we’re making progress” in many of the cases and additional Gardaí have been allocated to sexual offences.

“I’m quite happy we are putting in the resources and we’re making exceptional progress in all investigations,” he said. This is a preview only. To read the rest of this article, see this week's Galway City Tribune. Buy a digital edition of this week's paper here, or download the app for Android or iPhone. This week's City Tribune is in shops on Saturday, December 28th.