GARDAÍ in Co Donegal have renewed their appeal for witnesses as part of their ongoing investigation into an alleged serious assault in the area around Sliabh Liag.
The appeal came amid reports that a man in his 60s and from Northern Ireland was the victim of an alleged attack in the nearby Killybegs area last weekend before going missing.
A large-scale search and rescue operation took place around the Sliabh Liag sea cliffs last week, involving the Irish Coast Guard, Donegal Mountain Rescue and Gardaí divers.
A man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s were arrested in Killybegs before being released without charge.
Access to the popular cliffs was restricted last week by Gardaí, but the area has now been reopened for visitors.
It was reported on Sunday that Gardaí are investigating an allegation that the missing man was suspected of making unwanted advances to a woman before being assaulted.
The Irish Independent reported that the man is believed to have been socialising with a couple in Killybegs before being beaten after making the advances.
It was claimed that the woman at the centre of the probe told a friend of what happened in a phone call that was recorded before being passed to Gardaí.
The recording was reported to detail how the man was beaten about the head with a rock before he was left at the cliffs area.
A car belonging to a man arrested in the Fintown area of Co Donegal following a crash last Sunday was seized as part of the investigation, with blood splatters found inside the vehicle following forensic examination.
A warrant was also obtained for Gardaí to search a property in Killybegs.
While not commenting on the reports, a Gardaí spokesperson renewed their appeal for information.
"An Garda Síochána are continuing to investigate all the circumstances of an alleged assault that is reported to have occurred in the Slieve League/Killybegs area of County Donegal between Saturday 24 June 2023 and Sunday 25 June 2023.
"Areas preserved in Slieve League to facilitate this investigation have been lifted and the area has fully reopened to the public.
"This Garda investigation remains ongoing and an incident room has been established at Ballyshannon Garda station under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer.
"Investigating Gardaí are appealing to any persons travelling in the vicinity of Killybegs/Slieve League between the afternoon of Saturday 24th June 2023 and the evening of Sunday 25th June 2023 who observed any activity which drew their attention to come forward.
"Any road users travelling in these areas at these times who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí."
Read more: Two arrested in Donegal over alleged assault at Sliabh Liag
