Published: Friday, 20th January, 2012 3:30pm

Rapist Murphy not living in Tullamore: Gardaí

Fears that rapist Larry Murphy is living in Tullamore have been allayed by gardaí in Tullamore this week. Rumours abounded that Murphy, who was released from prison in 2010 after serving over ten years for abduction, rape and attempted murder, was living in an estate on the outskirts of the town since Christmas. Sergeant Ollie Baker from Tullamore Garda Station confirmed this week that these rumours are untrue.

"We did receive an awful lot of calls from people living on their own and people who would be out exercising," Sergeant Baker said. "There was a genuine fear or concern that the individual was living in the district. I'm not sure where the rumour originated but according to our records Larry Murphy is not residing in the Tullamore district."

Details of Murphy's rumoured new living arrangements were posted on a Facebook page tracking his movements. The same rumours populated a thread on discussion website boards.ie.

Tullamore town councillor Brendan Killeavy also publicly moved to puts local fears at rest, confirming on his own Facebook page last Monday the convicted sex offender was not living in the town.

Cllr Killeavy also asked in his post for people to stop spreading the rumour as it was leading to worry and concern for a lot of women, children and elderly people.

"Larry Murphy is nowhere near Tullamore," he said.

The update was welcomed on the social network site by 79 "likes", 40 "shares" and 35 comments.