Girl’s attention to detail led to jailing of rapist who tried to abduct her

A schoolgirl’s attention to detail led to the arrest of a convicted rapist who tried to abduct her.

Judge Tony Hunt said it was only the girl’s bravery, strength, clear presence of mind, and sense of purpose that saved her from the fate that Dermot Murphy had in mind for her.

Murphy, aged 43, from Atlantic Coast Apartments, Tramore, Co Waterford, was jailed for 13 years for the attempted abduction, in separate incidents, of the girl, aged 13, and a 20-year-old woman.

At Mullingar Circuit Court yesterday, Judge Hunt described Murphy as a serious and dangerous recidivist offender, with a serious perversion.

He also disqualified Murphy from driving for life, saying that a vehicle seemed to be “a significant tool” for the accused, who pulled up beside both victims and tried to drag them into his van.

He stopped both potential victims to ask directions but with the intentions of sexual assault.

Murphy admitted assault, attempted abduction and attempted child trafficking of a 13-year-old girl who was cycling to her friend’s house when he attacked her.

During the struggle, the girl’s top came off and she fell to the ground. She kicked and bit him before managing to escape to a neighbour’s house.

While in custody, Murphy also admitted attempting to abduct and threatening to kill a 20-year-old female pedestrian who was walking on a rural road in Laois in 2007.

The judge referred to Murphy’s previous conviction for raping, falsely imprisoning, and committing aggravated sexual assault on a 12-year-old girl in 1997.

By order of the court, Murphy, post-release, must inform gardaí of his whereabouts for the rest of his life.