Cops fear revenge attacks by angry relatives of the three teenage girls who were victims of a brutal seaside sex assault.
Investigators have been working round the clock to deal with the fallout from the horrific incident last weekend at Courtown Harbour in Co Wexford.
The girls, two of whom are 14 and a third who is aged 16, have returned home and are being comforted by loved ones. Gardai believe one of them may have been raped.
A source said: “There is a risk there. Some people related to one of the girls are very angry – it is important gardai get full co-operation from the families to make sure this doesn’t happen.
“At the moment the gardai are still working through the case, chasing up leads on it. There are five suspects, they are Irish and have been travelling between the general Kilkenny and Waterford area.
“The suspects are underage and have not been interviewed by gardai as yet, but their families have been approached by investigators. The gardai are anxious to get statements via specialist interviewers.”
As revealed by the Irish Mirror, one suspect is thought to have held down one of the victims as another boy sexually assaulted her.
It is also believed there may have been more than a dozen teenage witnesses.
The three girls, all from West Dublin, were visiting Courtown and enjoying the summer sun in the seaside resort village. It is understood their families are regular visitors to the area.
It is also believed investigators have viewed CCTV footage of the suspects in the company of the three girls.
The alleged attacks took place in the Burrow area, a roadway and woodland on the shore of a sandy beach.
A spokesman said: “Gardai are continuing to appeal for information in relation to the investigation into an incident of a serious assault that occurred on July 28 at approximately 12.15am in the Burrow area of Courtown Harbour, Gorey, Co Wexford.
“Investigating gardai would like to thank those people who have already come forward with information and are again appealing for information.
“Any person with dash cam footage, please make contact with the incident room at Gorey Garda station on 053 943 0690 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. Investigations are continuing.”
