Gardaí step up patrols after Shankill sex assaults

GARDAI have assured locals in Shankill that they have increased patrols in the area after a series of alleged sex assaults against women in recent months.

At a packed public meeting last week, the local superintendent and an officer from the crime prevention unit said both uniformed and undercover patrols would be stepped up while Irish Rail is upping its security at the local DART station. 

It follows a number of reports of alleged sexual assaults on females that happened in the area since December.

The incidents occured during the hours of darkness, from 4.30pm to 10pm.

In each case a lone male approached a lone female and an alleged assault took place.

Gardaí in Shankill have set up an incident room to investigate the reports.

A number of statements have been taken and numerous lines of enquiry are currently being conducted, together with CCTV and house to house calls.

A committee was formed that will liase with the gardaí about any future updates following a packed public meeting that was attended by over 200 people on Thursday night.

The incidents prompted a protest by local residents at Shankill Garda station on Wednesday. 

On the ‘Scan Shankill’ Facebook page, a woman reported how she was the subject of an attempted assault on January 3. 

She told how she was walking past the DART station at about 7pm when she spotted a suspicious man aged in his 40s. He attempted to drag her into trees and assault her but she managed to escape. 

“I am very lucky to be pretty much unharmed,” the woman wrote. “I’ve reported it straight to the guards who are taking my statements today and I am going to be working with the sketch artist.” 

Gardaí are asking any witnesses or people with information to contact them at Shankill station on (01)6665900 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800666111.