Gardaí in Kerry have said 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.

The allegation, which was made by a woman in her early 60s, is that she was raped by a member of staff in a changing room, following a medical procedure.

Kerry’s chief superintendent, Con Cadogan, yesterday said a file is being prepared and will involve forensic results.

The scene was preserved and CCTV footage 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 the procedure.

The accused man, who is married and from abroad, was employed temporarily by the hospital.

Following the alleged incident, which took place on September 10, it is understood that the health professional was suspended and he has now resigned 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 that evening to undergo a specialist medical examination.

She then made a formal complaint to gardaí later in the week.

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 he raped her.

The hospital was voted Ireland’s ‘Private Hospital of the Year’ in 2014.

It serves a catchment area of 170,000 people and has expanded significantly in recent years.

It has 50 medical consultants and 150 beds.

This story first appeared in the Irish Examiner.