A drug addict who killed a priest in 1981 and who later lived with a social worker he then twice threatened to kill, is still being visited by her in prison, Judge Elizabeth Dunne has been told at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Alan Murray (34) is in custody on a new charge of intent to inflict serious bodily harm on a drug rehabilitation volunteer, Ms Rachel Kennedy, with whom he had formed a relationship. She now wants the charge dropped.
Murray, originally from Moatfield Drive, Coolock, Dublin, was jailed for seven years by Judge Dunne in January 2000 for threatening to kill Ms Kennedy on July 4th-5th, 1998, and on April 29th, 1999.
Judge Dunne released him last November, after 10 months, on condition that he reside once more with Ms Kennedy but this condition was altered in January and Murray was ordered to stay away from her house.
Det Insp Chris Kelly said he had just learned before this latest hearing that Murray stayed with Ms Kennedy on the night of February 15th last and also the weekend before that with her permission. This led to a further incident on February 18th when, it is alleged, Murray again tried to inflict grievous bodily harm on her, and the matter was re-entered by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Det Insp Kelly said Ms Kennedy was visiting Murray on a weekly basis while he was on remand in Cloverhill Prison and she now wanted the new charges withdrawn.
"If Murray was to be released I would have grave concerns for the safety of Ms Kennedy and her 10-year-old son," said Det Insp Kelly.
Mr Michael O'Higgins SC said an article on February 4th last in the Sunday World headlined "I never want to see priest killer again" caused great upset to both parties and Murray was particularly tormented by it.
Judge Dunne said this was distressing but she recognised the media's desire to report news that was in the public interest.
She said she had major concerns that Murray was still visiting the house in February. He was still in breach of her order whether or not he was there at the invitation of Ms Kennedy.
She adjourned finalising the matter until June 19th so that a psychiatric report on Murray could be prepared.
Murray was convicted in 1981 in the Central Criminal Court of manslaughter after he killed a priest in the presbytery of a church in Phibsboro, Dublin.