A file is to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions after an allegation of rape in one of the region’s leading private hospitals, the Bon Secours Hospital in Tralee writes Anne Lucey.

A woman in her early 60s has alleged she was raped by a member of staff in a changing room following a procedure which she had undergone.

Kerry’s Chief Superintendent Garda Con Cadogan said a file is being prepared on the matter and will involve forensic results.

The scene was preserved and CCTV footage near the alleged crime scene was “harvested”. A number of witnesses have been interviewed, Chief Supt Cadogan said.

He has appealed to anyone with information to come forward.

The staff member is accused of raping the woman when she was changing into her clothes after having a procedure.

The man, who is married and from abroad, was employed on a temporary basis by the hospital.

Following the alleged incident, which took place over a week ago on September 10, it is understood the health professional was suspended and may have left the country.

The hospital said it was not commenting.

The victim made an initial complaint before going to Cork University Hospital to undergo a specialist medical examination. She then made a formal complaint to gardaí.

She is believed to have told gardaí that she gave the staff member a €10 tip and he then followed her into the changing room where she alleged he raped her.

The Bon Secours Hospital in Tralee was voted Ireland’s Private Hospital of the Year in 2014.

It serves a catchment area of more 170,000 people and has seen significant expansion in recent years.

It has over 50 medical consultants and over 150 beds.