Irish public continue to hunt suspect serial killer

Although suspected serial killer, Larry Murphy, has now been placed in secure housing by the Irish Justice Department two Facebook pages continue to track his whereabouts.

Facebook has said that it will not comment on individual cases. However, yesterday the company released a statement. They said "In this case, although the page and its contents is distasteful to some, users are expressing how they feel about a public figure.

"As long as this does not represent a credible threat of violence towards that individual, it is within the terms of use of the site as it is an expression of personal opinion.

"However, if any comment directed towards a public figure is found to be a credible threat of violence, or is illegal, it will be removed as it violates our terms."

One page which aimed to track Murphy's every movement was discontinued when Murphy handed himself over to a Probation Services program. By the time it was taken down the page had amassed more than 5,000 members.

Although Murphy has been tracked by the Irish police and the media since his release from prison, the public's concern over his release prompted them to set up "location tracker" pages. The other pages which remain on Facebook are called "Don't let Larry Murphy Out" and "People of Ireland have a right to know where Larry Murphy is". They have over 20,000 members.

Last Friday evening Larry Murphy handed himself into a Dublin City Centre police station after he found the hysteria in the media and abuse from the public too much to cope with. He has spoken with his Chaplin from prison and is considering taking part in a counseling program.

Senior police fear that Murphy will reoffend. They are currently drawing up a management plan with the Probation Services. However Murphy is not obliged to undergo any treatment.

Murphy refused treatment and did not express any remorse during his 10 years in prison for the rape, abduction and attempted murder of a young businesswoman in Carlow in 2000. He was released early after getting automatic remission for "good behavior".