DETECTIVES believe it is the intention of serial rapist Michael Murray to relocate to Britain after his failed High Court challenge to prevent newspapers revealing where he is living and publishing his photograph.

Murray, 50, was released from prison last year after serving 13 years for raping four women over six days in 1995. He complained in court he could not live or work anywhere because as soon as he moved, newspapers revealed his address and printed photos of him.

But his attempt to gag newspapers from printing his address and whereabouts failed ten days ago. Justice Mary Irvine ruled that Murray cannot expect the same privacy as average citizens and that the public interest in knowing the whereabouts of a violent offender outweighed his right to privacy. Murray has been ordered to pay the costs of his unsuccessful High Court bid against several newspapers, which could be as much as €250,000.

It is understood the serial rapist is now considering moving to Britain, where he once lived, as he believes he will be pursued even more vigorously by the Irish press after his failed court action.

Murray now lives near St Mobhi Road in Dublin's Glasnevin. Since his release from prison, the Dubliner has lived in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, and in various parts of Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and Portlaoise. He has also lived in Thurles, Co Tipperary, and Kilkenny.

As he is on the sex offenders register, Murray must inform gardaí when he moves, which he has done to date.

Murray must inform gardaí if he does intend to move back to the UK and detectives will then liaise with British police over his whereabouts.

As well as convictions in Ireland, in 1989 he was jailed for eight-and-a-half years for a rape in the UK.