‘Frenzy’ of rumours forces gardaí to deny rapist is in Ennis

Ennis gardaí have moved to scotch rumours spreading through social media that rapist, Larry Murphy, has moved into Ennis.

Rumours and fear spread online over the weekend that the sex offender had moved into a home in the Lahinch Road area of Ennis, as he had a sister living in the town.

Women across Ennis circulated emails over the weekend warning friends not to go out walking or jogging by themselves because of Murphy moving into the area. Murphy was also reported to be drinking in a popular Ennis pub on Friday night.

One Garda source said yesterday that there was a “frenzy” last Friday afternoon when, over a period of an hour, gardaí at the local station received a total of 15 phone calls from members of the public concerned over Murphy’s supposed arrival.

However, Clare Crime Prevention Officer, Joe Downey, said yesterday in a statement: “It has come to the attention of gardaí in Ennis, that a notorious sexual offender, has been seen or is presently in Ennis town. We have investigated this rumour, and can categorically state, that this man is not in Ennis and neither is he related to any person in Ennis.”

In the statement, Sgt Downey said: “Certain malicious comments have appeared on social media sites and on the Internet concerning this man’s whereabouts, and to who might be related to him in this town.

“The rumours are untrue, and we would like to caution people who may be posting comments on any site, that they may be putting themselves at risk of civil suit by any person who may be affected by these malicious rumours.”

One email circulated by a concerned Ennis citizen concerning rumours of Murphy moving into Ennis stated: “might be a suggestion to have a friend walk with you and don’t walk late at night... the gardaí in Ennis notified a few houses on the road of this (Murphy relocating to Ennis) and advised that the message be passed on. They are keeping tabs on him. I know we should give people a second chance, but still be careful”.

The weekend rumours in Ennis were not the first time that a community has believed that Murphy was in their midst — previously rumours spread through Celbridge, Limerick and Tullamore concerning false sightings of Murphy.

Murphy was released from prison in August 2010 after serving 10 years of a 15-year sentence for a brutal attack on a woman in the Wicklow mountains.

Murphy, 48, 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.

The former carpenter was sentenced before the Sex Offenders Act was passed in 2001, so he is not subject to post-release supervision.

However, gardaí have said a management plan is in place to monitor Murphy’s movements and his whereabouts.

He must formally register an address with them within seven days.

As a high-risk offender, if he is residing in Ireland, Murphy must be visited by a member of the force at least once a month.

Last June, he was reported to be living in Britain.

Murphy has denied any suggestion of his involvement with women reported missing and has said previously that if the gardaí had any evidence to connect him with the cases, he would already have been charged.