A YOUNG woman claims she was raped in a sports star’s car, the Irish Sun can reveal.

The alleged victim, in her 20s, contacted gardai in Crumlin on Saturday to claim that she was the victim of a sexual assault.

3 The sports star was stopped by gardai as he was being driven in a car a few hours after the woman went to cops Credit: Getty - Contributor

3 It’s understood investigators will interview people who were in the area leading up to the alleged attack Credit: Reuters

It’s the second time the celebrity has been linked to a suspected rape.

One local said: “Everybody is talking about the sports star being caught up in another sex attack allegation.”

The Irish Sun can reveal that the alleged attacker was stopped by gardai as he was being driven in a car a few hours after the woman went to cops.

The vehicle was then seized by ­officers and was last night being forensically examined.

Officers are trying to establish if the motor is the same one where the alleged rape took place.

CLOTHING SEIZED

Items of clothing belonging to the top athlete were also seized and are being examined by gardai.

However, the well-known individual has yet to be quizzed about the alleged attack and hasn’t been arrested.

A source told the Irish Sun: “A ­complaint has been made and is now being thoroughly investigated, as would any complaint of this nature.

“These investigations take time and every avenue is being followed. It’s not the first time this individual has been caught up in a serious investigation.”

We understand the sports star had been socialising on Friday afternoon and while out he met another group — including the young woman who later made the complaint against him.

The celeb and the woman were also spotted talking. It’s understood they then went to a car where the woman claims she was raped.

CCTV FOOTAGE EXAMINED

As part of their probe, gardai are also examining CCTV footage from the Drimnagh Road area of the capital.

It’s also understood investigators will interview people who were in the area leading up to the alleged attack.

One local said: “The star was out with a number of people and this included a few young women.

“From what’s being said locally, they all seemed to be getting on very well. Nobody seems to know what went on after.”

Gardai yesterday confirmed an investigation was under way.

They said: “Gardai in Crumlin are investigating an alleged sexual assault of a woman that occurred last Friday at approximately 9pm on Drimnagh Road, Dublin 12.

“Investigations are ongoing and no arrests have been made at this time.

“Owing to the nature of the investigation we will not be commenting further at this time.”

The sports star was previously accused of sexually assaulting a woman in south Dublin.

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She was later brought to the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit at the Rotunda Hospital. A complaint was later made to Gardai after a probe was launched.

The high-profile individual was also interviewed by officers about the alleged attack but denied the claims.

A file on the case was later sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions but no decision has been made on whether to take a case against him.