Read more- Severed arm of missing rapist washes up on Dublin beach

The convicted rapist and career criminal, whose dismembered arm was found on Dollymount Strand, in Dublin, was due to appear in court just last week.

James Nolan (46) from Finglas was due to appear in Dublin's Circuit Criminal Court, for breaching his post-release conditions, last Monday. Nolan who had alcohol and drug addictions had failed to sign on with his probation service. This was part of his post-release order following the completion of a three-year sentence for burglary.

Last Monday Judge Yvonne Murphy heard that he had not been seen for some time, according to the Irish Examiner. The judge ordered that Nolan be tracked down before May when she planned to review his case.

The police are now searching for the location where Nolan was tortured, mutilated and murdered.

Last November Nolan was released from prison and was to meet with the Probation Service on a regular basis, for one year.

Nolan has been described by the authorities as a career criminal. He was convicted of rape and false imprisonment in 1986 and was jailed for 14 years. In 2005 he was nabbed for a burglary in South Dublin. He also had a record of larceny and road traffic offenses.

Read more- Severed arm of missing rapist washes up on Dublin beach