Is Larry Murphy in Limerick? The locals think so…

Ever since Larry Murphy was released from prison, there have been various sightings of him reported all over Ireland. But are any of them true? According to recent reports, the convicted rapist is currently in Limerick…

The Limerick Leader reports that a host of frightened locals from areas in East Limerick believe that they have seen the suspected serial killer roaming their streets. In fact garda stations in both Bruff and Tipperary have said that they have been “inundated” with phone calls regarding the ‘Beast of Baltinglass.’

The majority of people claim to have seen Murphy in Cappamore, Pallasgreen and Oola. And one man, who contacted the Limerick Leader, claimed that he knew women who had stopped going walking at night.

“It all started at the weekend after rumours started that he was seen in front of a grotto in Cappamore,” said the man.

“It’s the only thing people are talking about. A few of us got together to warn people that he might be around. There is genuine fear out here. Parents are driving their children everywhere,” he added.

However, gardaí have asked locals to remain calm.

“We’ve no knowledge or intelligence to indicate that that man is in the area and if there was, we would be taking appropriate action to ensure they are complying with the sex offenders regulations,” said Alan Cunningham, the Superintendent of Bruff garda station.

“If a man is a registered offender and he goes to an area he has to give notification prior to going there to stay for a period of time. We have no notification and we have no intelligence to indicate that he is there. We have no official report,” added Superintendent Cunningham.

Despite the gardaí suggesting that the rumours are untrue and that Murphy is not in the area, locals have said that Murphy is staying somewhere in the Glen of Aherlow. However gardaí from Tipperary have strongly denied this.

“I don’t know where this rumour came from but it has spread like wildfire and taken root. People are very afraid. Children are off school and men are taking turns watching them play,” said one woman who spoke to the Limerick Leader.

It is believed that Murphy left Ireland and fled to Europe in 2010 after he was released from prison. He served 10 years of a 15 year sentence for the abduction, rape and attempted murder of a young woman in 2000.

Murphy was last seen on the Rosslare to Cherbourg ferry in June 2011, but has he returned to Ireland? And, more importantly, is he hiding out in Limerick?