Serial sex offender jailed for attacking two women in Dublin

 A serial sex offender has been jailed for six years for attacking two women in Dublin city centre a few days after being released from prison for another attack on a woman.

Philip Murphy, of no fixed abode, had to be extradited from the UK for the offences, which took place in 2016.

The 40-year-old had previously been jailed for ten years for falsely imprisoning another woman.

He has ten previous convictions, including one for carrying a Stanley knife.

He was just days out of prison in February 2016 when, in the space of 20 minutes, he attacked two more women in Dublin city centre.

The first attack took place on Jervis Lane and the second at O'Rahilly Parade off Moore Street.

Murphy grabbed both victims from behind as they were walking on their own through the city in the early hours of the morning, demanded sex and threatened to kill them.

He told the first woman not to scream or he would kill her, and said to the second: "You're going to die tonight."

Both victims managed to call and scream for help. Murphy fled when neighbours and passers-by noticed what was happening.

Gardaí at Store Street sourced CCTV footage and Murphy could be seen putting on a pair of gloves before jogging after the first victim and walking closely behind her.

His probation officers and former prison officers identified him from the footage. He was arrested and questioned, but left the country after he was released.

He was found three years later in the UK and extradited last year.

At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Melanie Greally said there was "every reason to conclude" that Murphy intended to engage in "very serious acts of sexual violence" but for the bravery and actions of the victims.

She said the offending was aggravated by the fact he had recently been released from prison for the false imprisonment of a female.

The judge sentenced him to six years in jail with a further four years of post-release supervision.