Websites dedicated to whereabouts of ‘Beast of Baltinglass’

SPECULATION on the location of convicted rapist Larry Murphy went into overdrive as campaign groups online reported multiple sightings of the man known as “the Beast of Baltinglass”.

Several sites are now dedicated to the tracking of the released sex offender.

A number of alleged sightings yesterday of 45-year-old Murphy reported he was staying in a south Dublin hotel while others suggested he had been spotted at Heuston Station.

While up to nearly 3,000 people were participating on the Facebook site “Larry Murphy location tracker”, many contributors openly joked about the rapist’s whereabouts.

One young man commented: “I think I saw him in tesco in bray this morning buyin 2 litres of tropical juice and a Chomp [sic].”

Another man wrote: “Unconfirmed reports Larry Murphy took the train to Cork this morning and took the 1.30pm service back- due in Heuston at 16.25.”

Meanwhile, the Rochestown Lodge Hotel, near Dun Laoghaire, Dublin yesterday said it had received many calls inquiring if Murphy had stayed at the seaside accommodation overnight.

Management denied Murphy had stayed there on Thursday and said the gardaí had even been called because of the number of queries over his alleged presence at the hotel.

Another Facebook page called “Sightings of Larry Murphy” saw open fighting between contributors over posted comments.

One young girl wrote: “If people want to act like immature spas then get lost and stop taking up space on this page...notice its mainly men, who have nothing to fear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Other site names being used by the public and online contributors include “Execute Larry Murphy” and “Larry Murphy for the Bullet” as well as “Lock up Larry Murphy and throw away the keys”.