LAST UPDATE | 15 Mar

THE MAN ARRESTED for the alleged stabbing and sexual assault of a woman in Tralee had recently been released after serving a sentence for a knife attack on another woman. 

Gardaí are continuing to question the man who was arrested yesterday. 

The Journal has learned that the suspect had recently served a prison sentence for an attack in which he slashed a woman’s throat in a burglary. 

The suspect, who is originally from Cork city, had been released in the last two weeks from custody after he was imprisoned for an attack in which he met a woman online and then attacked subsequently. 

It is not believed that he met the Tralee attack victim previously and that it was a completely random assault. 

Yesterday’s incident occurred at a residential property on Maine Street, Tralee shortly after 9.30am yesterday morning. It is believed that the man fled after the incident. 

The woman, who is aged in her 20s, was taken to University Hospital Kerry to be treated for her injuries. It is understood that she may have been stabbed multiple times in the attack.

She was examined forensically by a medic as gardaí compile a case against the suspect. 

It is understood that he had scaled a wall and gained access to the apartment where the victim was through a bedroom window. 

The man, who is Irish, was found in Tralee after he allegedly attempted to get into a second house. It is understood he was injured during his attack on the woman.

Gardaí are forensically examining the apartment and a number of locations where they have discovered apparent blood stains.

A garda spokesperson told The Journal this morning that the man remains in custody and gardaí are continuing to investigate the incident.