by Frank Farragher

Detectives investigating the vicious assault on an 80-years-old woman in Shantalla on New Year’s Eve night, believe that there are people out there who know the identity of the perpetrator.

The investigation into the case is still “highly active” with Gardaí concentrating most of their work in the local and city area.

Several individuals have volunteered information to the Gardaí on the incident but detectives still believe that there are people out there who know the identity of the attacker.

A thorough technical examination of the scene was carried out in the days following the savage attack which  led to the hospitalisation of the old woman for a number of days.

Gardaí are still awaiting the results of some aspects of that technical examination but they are hoping this week to prick the conscience of an acquaintance or family member of the attacker.

The lone male intruder made his way into the house of the woman shortly after midnight on New Year’s Eve night.

His activity in the house was concentrated on a “vicious assault” on the woman – nothing was taken from the house before the intruder fled on foot.

The man is described as being about 6’ tall, clean shaven and aged in his 20s. Psychological profiles would indicate an individual prone to erratic or irrational behaviour – a personality trait which would not go unnoticed with family members or close acquaintances.

This week, Superintendent Tom Curley of Galway Garda Station at Mill Street, told the Connacht Sentinel that considerable resources had been put into, “and would continue to be put into”, the investigation of this assault.

“We have made progress but we feel that there are individuals out there who know who this person is. I would appeal to them to make contact with us in full confidence – the sooner this man is taken off the streets, the better for everyone,” said Supt Curley.

Gardaí are still anxious to speak to a number of witnesses who were in the Shantalla Road area between midnight and 2am on the night of the assault.

One person was out walking a dog at the time while another couple were walking in the vicinity of the local school – the Gardaí are anxious that these people would make contact with them.

Gardaí at Mill Street can be contacted at the special incident room at (091) 576250; Galway Garda Station at (091) 538000; or the Garda confidential telephone number of 1800 666111.