Irish rugby fan abducted and gang-raped while in Bordeaux for the World Cup was found in a distressed state in the street by Welsh supporters it emerges as manhunt continues for her attackers

The Irish rugby fan who was abducted and then gang-raped by three men while in Bordeaux for the World Cup was found in a distressed state in the street by Welsh supporters, it has emerged.

The 37-year-old woman was attacked around midnight on Saturday on rue de la Rousselle in the heart of the city, close to where she was staying, according to French reports.

French police are continuing their manhunt for the three men who allegedly carried out the barbaric attack, with one of the suspects being described as ‘very athletic’.

The woman was walking near her accommodation when she was allegedly attacked by the three man who dragged her into an alleyway, reports say. According to Le Parisien, she was also driven in a car by the men, but did not leave the Saint-Paul district.

Nearby residents alerted the police, but the suspects had time to flee the scene.

The victim was reportedly discovered in the street in a distressed state by a group of Welsh fans, who had been in the French city to watch their opening game against Fiji, according to the Irish Independent. 

The woman was able to return to her accommodation, but was in a state of shock and was initially unable to report the attack to French police, who found her ‘traumatised and prostrate’, according to L’Independant.

French officers called their Irish colleagues who were in the city as reinforcements for the on-going Rugby World Cup, which is being hosted by France.

The woman is understood to have been in the city to watch the match. She was attended to by the Irish officers before being taken to Bordeaux University Hospital.

Prosecutors have opened an investigation into the alleged rape, and police are said to be seeking three Caucasian men, one of whom is described as ‘very athletic’.

‘The investigations are underway and in particular the genetic examinations on the victim and the clothing, the collection of testimonies and the study of the video protection of the neighborhood,’ police told Le Parisien in a statement.

A garda spokesperson said: ‘Members of An Garda Síochána currently deployed in France for the duration of the Rugby World Cup tournament to assist Irish people visiting France are liaising with local authorities in relation to an alleged incident. The investigation is a matter for French police.

‘An Garda Síochána has no further comment at this time.’

A spokesperson for the Irish Rugby Football Union said: “The IRFU is aware of the disturbing news emanating from Bordeaux regarding an incident involving an Irish supporter at the weekend.

“We are shocked and extend our deepest sympathies to the victim.

“The IRFU wants all fans to have a positive experience supporting the team in France and we urge all travellers to take care and look out for each other.”