A drug addict jailed for seven years for twice threatening to kill a social worker, was released from jail yesterday to move in with her.
Alan Murray (34), who was convicted of the manslaughter of a priest in 1981, formed a relationship with Ms Rachael Kennedy after threatening to kill her and her husband.
Judge Elizabeth Dunne at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday described it as "a most unusual case". Murray has served 10 months of the seven-year sentence. Judge Dunne ordered him to sign on three times a week at a Garda station and to have psychological treatment.
Ms Kennedy met Murray in the Merchant's Quay drugs rehabilitation centre where she worked as a secretary and voluntary social worker. In July 1998 she introduced him to her husband, Paul. Murray came back to their house and when she asked him to leave he threatened her with a knife.
Ms Kennedy let Murray into the house another time because she thought he had a knife in his hand. She later said she had to go to a dog show and he told her he would cut her dog's heart out.
Murray was charged with threatening her and freed on bail. She split up with her husband and began living with Murray. He again threatened her in April 1999 and she called the gardai.