Police have been seen outside a Dublin hotel after an investigation was launched into claims a major Irish sports star attacked and raped a woman on Sunday night.

Detectives in Dublin are investigating the allegations but the man, who has not been named, is protesting his innocence.

It is believed a woman in her 20s was out socialising with a group of friends in the Irish capital, before going on to a hotel in the city centre.

Police were outside a Dublin hotel today after an investigation was launched into an alleged rape by a major Irish sports star

The attack is alleged to have taken place between midnight and 2am yesterday morning at the hotel.

The man was out socialising with friends on the night.

In the morning, the woman went to a south Dublin Garda station and reported the alleged attack.

She was taken to the sexual assault treatment unit at the Rotunda Hospital.

No arrests have yet been made and the man has maintained his innocence at all times.

The investigation is being conducted by gardaí at Pearse Street as the alleged attack took place in the city centre.

Senior security sources last night told the Mail: 'The young woman presented to her local Garda station on Monday morning to report a rape

'She had been socialising in the city centre on Sunday evening. She returned to a city centre hotel where she alleges the rape by a well-known sports star took place.'

The Mail understands that the young woman reported having bruising and that she was also hit by the sports star during the alleged rape.

A source told the Irish Independent that the woman's claims were being treated as 'credible' and investigators had been working through the night.

No arrests have been made, Dublin police said this morning.