A man convicted of two rapes fled through the fields after his brother saw two "hitmen" on a motorcycle gunning for him.

North Cork is on high alert after a repeat rapist, who is widely expected to strike again, returned to his family after serving 11 years of a 17-year sentence for rape and sexual assault.

The chairman of the Oireachtas committee on justice has said that some serious offenders, including repeat rapists, should be electronically tagged if released from prison early.

A 47-year-old repeat rapist, described by gardaí as "a predator" and "especially dangerous to women" is to be released from prison early next month — having served only 11 years of a 17-year sentence for rape and sexual assault.