A survivors’ group has called on the gardai to take action after it emerged a woman who was gang raped has been targeted by online trolls.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was 18 when she was driven to a North Dublin beach and raped by three men.
Dion Genocky, 23, Troy Ryan and Daryl Rooney, both 24, were teenagers at the time of the attack in January 2016. They were all convicted of rape this week.
READ MORE: Young Irish woman gang raped by three teenagers at Dublin beach describes 'cruel' ordeal
The victim has since been trolled, attacked and threatened on social media.
Laura Witherow, who works with the group Survivors Side By Side, which supports victims of rape and sexual abuse, said she was “shocked” by some of the comments online.
She added: “I think it’s deplorable that the innocent young woman is being threatened and abused, given there is a conviction there for those three men and she is innocent.
“It’s so difficult to speak up without anything like this. I can’t believe what I am reading. The guards need to step up and intervene and protect this girl now before it gets worse and more damage is done.
“I am so shocked by the behaviour of some people.”
Meanwhile, former Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Nial Ring said: “There seems to be a campaign by a small group against this woman, but the courts convicted all three men.
“Any threats to her are absolutely horrific and people need to leave it to the justice system.
“She needs to be looked after, she is a victim, and she is the most important person in this case.
“She has to be protected and these threats are totally unacceptable. Any right-minded person would know that.
“The vast majority of people are just horrified by this case and the behaviour of some towards this woman”.
The trial of the three men heard how they met their victim in an internet cafe before taking her to Dollymount Strand where they took turns raping the teenager.
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