A young woman allegedly raped by an Irish sports star was taken to hospital by ambulance after gardaí attended her home and found her ‘battered and bruised’ following the apparent attack.

Police say the account of the woman, who says she was attacked and raped in a penthouse suite in Dublin city centre, is ‘credible’.

The Irish Daily Mail understands that gardaí attended the woman’s home late on Monday morning after receiving a phone call from another person within the house.

When gardaí arrived, the woman, who is in her 20s, was visibly battered and distraught.

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

She gave an account to gardaí of being raped and beaten by the sportsman in a penthouse suite.

Gardaí took possession of some of the woman’s bloodstained clothing and made the decision to call an ambulance which took her to a sexual assault treatment unit at the Rotunda Hospital for an immediate assessment.

Gardaí travelled with her to the hospital for this process, which is protocol. The young woman was later released from hospital. Since then, gardaí have remained in contact with the woman.

While the woman made an initial complaint to gardaí on Monday, she has yet to give gardaí a formal written statement.

It is understood investigating detectives were in contact with the woman a number of times yesterday, ‘encouraging’ her to make a full statement ‘but only when she feels able to do so’.

The alleged victim had been out socialising with work colleagues in Dublin city centre when she met the sports star, who she is vaguely acquainted with through mutual friends. It is believed she willingly went with him alone to the penthouse suite later on Sunday night or in the early hours of Monday.

The alleged attack was said to have taken place in Dublin city centre in the early hours of Sunday morning [file photo]

In order for the investigation to proceed, investigating detectives need a full statement from the young woman. Gardaí say it is ‘not unusual’ for a victim of crime to ‘take some time before feeling emotionally ready’ to make a statement in full.

In essence, gardaí cannot move forward with the investigation in terms of approaching the sports star or any other witnesses until this statement is provided. The exact location of the alleged rape remained unknown last night.

The woman has told gardaí in her initial verbal complaint that she willingly went to an upmarket location with the sports star, but is unsure of exactly where it is in the city.

‘Again, a full statement is needed from this woman before gardaí can try and find the location,’ a senior source said last night. ‘It is not unusual for victims to need some time after a violent incident to gather their thoughts and emotions before they are in a place emotionally and physically to talk to gardaí and tell officers everything.

‘In some cases, people decide not to make a statement and the matter does not proceed. In this case, based on the initial evidence so far, gardaí are keen for this woman to make a full statement. But there is no pressure on her to do so. Gardaí are in contact with her and will remain to be.’