FREED rapist Larry Murphy has declined an offer of rehabilitative therapy for sex offenders offered to him since his release from prison, the Sunday Tribune understands.

Murphy, 45, sought the assistance of a priest who works as a prison chaplain at Arbour Hill last weekend, as reported in last week's Sunday Tribune.

Fr Ciaran Enright urged Murphy to engage with the Probation Service because he was unable to find somewhere to live independently due to the widescale publicity surrounding his release.

Murphy eventually agreed following a meeting at Kevin Street garda station with the cleric. He is currently living alone at a private residence run by the Probation Service.

A source confirmed he has rarely left this house for fear of being recognised and his food is being delivered to him.

His only visitors last week were staff from the Probation Service, Fr Enright and gardaí.

The Probation Service provides a range of support to ex-prisoners, from residential accommodation, therapy for sex offenders and training and education.

Murphy had consistently refused to participate in treatment programmes for sex offenders during his incarceration at Arbour Hill.

The married father-of-two was released from prison 10 days ago after serving 10 years of a 14-year sentence for the rape and attempted murder of a woman in Co Carlow.

The Sunday Tribune understands it is likely that Murphy is living in Dublin but this could not be confirmed.

"He is somewhere discreet and private. The probation services offer a range of services but all he wanted was somewhere to live. He has rejected any other help from them," said a source. "He has barely left where he is staying. If he did, he would be instantly recognised."

Murphy, who received money from the sale of the house he co-owned with his wife in Baltinglass, as well as money he earned in prison, has not informed gardaí if he intends to stay in Ireland or move abroad.

A source said gardaí were privately surprised the 45-year-old has not chosen to move abroad, in light of how he has been pursued by the press. "But if he moves somewhere within Europe, he would not have access to the probation services to assist him. He may well be planning to move abroad but he has not informed gardaí of any such plans yet, which he must do."

When contacted, Fr Ciaran Enright declined to comment on his involvement with assisting Murphy since his release.

"It would obviously be a better situation if this man had engaged in therapy in prison but he did not," said Fine Gael's Charlie Flanagan. "I would support the idea of incentive-based therapy for sex offenders in prison to encourage them to engage with these services."