Brave Galway woman frightens predator off her doorstep

GARDAI have issued a general warning to people living alone to take sensible precautions when answering their doors after a youth tried to forcibly enter a house occupied by a single woman on the east side of Galway city over the weekend.

While Gardai stressed that they didn’t want to unduly alarm the general public, they are taking a very serious view of an incident that occurred in the Roscam area of Galway city on Sunday evening last.

A woman had been out jogging in the area at around 5pm on Sunday and just as she was coming close to her home in Boireann Beag, she noticed a black youth on the footpath wearing a hoodie, sports gear and runners.

The woman in her forties took note of the fact that the youth made no effort to move to one side, but thought nothing more of it and returned to her house a few minutes later.

As she was doing stretches following her jog, a knock came to her front door. When she unlocked the door to see who was outside, the same youth that she had met on the footpath, tried to force his way inside.

The woman screamed at the top of her voice and a small struggle ensued before she managed to push the youth out of her front hallway, before immediately ringing 999.

According to the woman, the Gardai were quickly on the scene but no trace could be found of the youth despite an immediate follow-up search and surveillance operation.

The woman, who was not injured in the incident, was however traumatised and is particularly anxious to warn other people – and especially women living alone – to be ‘on their guard’ in case the youth attempts another similar type break-in.

Gardai have been given a good description of the youth by the woman. He is described as being about 5’10” tall, of slim build, fit looking and had big eyes with a big round face.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.