Gardaí hope to bring charges against ‘danger to society’

Gardaí are hoping they will be able to bring charges against a man in relation to alleged rapes of two prostitutes in a hotel last week.

Garda chiefs sent out an internal alert in relation to the middle-aged man after he was stopped in a van with duct tape and cable ties in early August.

Officers had no power to arrest him as he was not committing an offence but issued a bulletin to gardaí to be on the lookout.

Garda sources said the man was a “danger to society” and was “devious” in dealing with other people, including potential victims.

The man is well known to gardaí and has a notorious reputation. One garda said that, unfortunately, it was not possible to look after all such dangerous individuals around the clock.

Ten days after the man was stopped in his van, he allegedly raped two prostitutes in a hotel room in Ballymun, Dublin. The alleged rapes took place sometime between 11pm on Thursday last and the early hours of Friday.

The two women subsequently notified gardaí and both lodged formal complaints.

The suspect, originally from Munster but living in Dublin, was approached by gardaí and he voluntarily agreed to be interviewed at Ballymun Garda Station. Detectives are now awaiting the results of forensic tests before deciding on the next course of action.

“Inquiries are continuing and there are forensic reports to be done,” said a Garda source.

He said the fact the man agreed to be interviewed voluntarily allowed them to arrest him at a future date.

The fact that two people have made the same allegation against him will strengthen the Garda file when it goes to the DPP.

The DPP will decide whether or not charges should be brought.

Gardaí have also conducted inquiries in the hotel and recovered CCTV footage.

Meanwhile, a man is fighting for his life after being assaulted in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, following celebrations marking the homecoming of boxer John Joe Nevin.

The victim, in his 40s, was talking with two other people on Oliver Plunkett St at 1am yesterday when he was jumped upon.

“He was set upon by two people and assaulted,” said a Garda source.

The victim was taken to the specialist head injuries unit at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.

His condition is described as serious.

Two people were arrested by detectives and detained at Mullingar Garda station.