RAPE PROMPTS CLEAN-UP CALLS

August 31, 2004 – (BBC Ireland) The rape of a young woman outside Belfast has led to calls for a clean-up of the area where it took place. Detectives are trying to track down the man responsible for raping the 19-year-old at about 0330 BST on Monday. The attack happened as she was walking along a footway between the Colin Mill Road and the Pantridge Road in Poleglass. A man approached the victim from behind and sexually attacked her. The attacker is described as being 5ft 6ins tall with a shaved head. He was wearing tracksuit bottoms and a fleece.

Police appeal

One community group said it was not the first sex attack in recent months. Eamon Cunningham of the Colin Safer Neighbourhood Project said: "These guys doing this have no fear.

"I don't know what they're using or what they're on but there's no fear now in attacking anybody in the street, men and women included.

"We would urge young women to be very, very vigilant in the area until this man has been apprehended."

People in the area said trees had provided cover for the attack to take place. Some said young people gathered outside their gardens most nights of the week, even using the alleyway as a toilet. Local Sinn Fein councillor Paul Butler warned people about the dangers of walking home alone.

He said the party had also been campaigning for improved street lighting in the area.
Detectives want anyone who was in the area and who saw or heard anything suspicious to contact them.

Source: BBC Ireland (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/3612674.stm)