Notorious rapist Larry Murphy released from prison
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Thursday August 12 2010
Convicted rapist Larry Murphy was released from prison today.
The notorious criminal, who served 10 years of a 15 year sentence for a brutal attack on a woman in the Wicklow Mountains, walked free from Arbour Hill.
Murphy, 45, who kidnapped his terrified victim in Carlow before repeatedly raping her, was also a suspect in the disappearance of several young women in the 1990s.
Wearing a hooded top, baseball cap and sunglasses, he walked out of the prison's front gate and left in a taxi at about 10.15am.
Murphy ran to the waiting cab without making comment.
A large Garda presence was on duty at the Arbour Hill complex in north Dublin with the Garda helicopter circling overhead as the rapist left.
The taxi was also followed by three photographers on high-powered motorbikes and Garda officers in unmarked cars as it made off towards the Phoenix Park.
Fears have been growing around Murphy's hometown of Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, that the sex attacker will return to the area where his ex-wife and family have rebuilt their lives.
His brother Tom has previously denied reports the rapist will be moving into his home.
"Beast"
A handful of angry spectators gathered outside the prison and shouted "rapist", "beast" and "f****** bastard" as the sex attacker was released.
One woman said she just wanted to see what Murphy looked like ten years on.
"I can't believe how cool and casual he was as he walked out," she said.
"I didn't think they'd let him out like that and just get in a car. I can't believe a taxi took him away.
"I just hope they throw him in the Liffey."
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said its national helpline was open on 1 800 77 88 88 for victims of rape or sexual abuse affected by the coverage of the case.
A public meeting will also be held in the west Wicklow village of Grangecon by Sinn Fein tonight, where locals residents will discuss with gardai extending the community alert scheme in the area.
Guilty
Murphy pleaded guilty to rape and attempted murder of a young woman in February 2000 after she survived a vicious sex attack. He repeatedly raped her before putting a shopping bag over her head in the boot of his car in a secluded spot in the mountains.
His victim was saved when two late-night hunters stumbled across the scene and recognised Murphy, who fled and was arrested the following morning at his home.
Murphy was also investigated as part of Operation Trace, a garda inquiry into the disappearance of several women in Leinster including Annie McCarrick, 26, Jo Jo Dullard, 22, and teenager Deirdre Jacob.
The former carpenter was sentenced before the Sex Offenders Act was passed in 2001 so he is not subject to a post-release supervision order.
However gardai have said a management plan was in place to monitor Murphy's movements and his whereabouts. He must formally register an address with them with seven days.
As a high-risk offender, he will also be visited by a member of the force at least once a month.
Complaint
It is understood Murphy travelled to a north Dublin Garda Station and made a complaint about media intrusion.
Meanwhile, Tallaght councillor Sean Crowe said the purpose of the meeting was to bring residents together to reassure them.
"There's a lot of fear, a lot of people scared within that community itself," Mr Crowe said.
"There's people there from the Rape Crisis Centre ... and I suppose to reassure people that the guards are going to be monitoring this individual if he does arrive in this community.
"No-one wants to see an individual like that landing in their community."
Mr Crowe said he was in favour of looking at the tagging of convicted sex offenders.
"I think in relation to sex offenders you need to look at all avenues in relation to reassuring the public," he said.
"But as an Irish republican I would have difficulty in relation to the whole question of tagging of offenders or individuals, but people are scared at the moment and we need to look at all avenues and hopefully look at new ways of tackling the problem."
Press Association
