A man who has a history of violence against women was arrested last month in possession of a mask, duct tape and a stun gun in an area of Dublin frequented by prostitutes.

The Sunday Tribune has learned that the man, who is in his 40s and is originally from Sligo, was detained in Donnybrook after gardaí noticed him acting suspiciously.

An unmarked patrol car observed him driving erratically at the Pepper Canister Church on Mount Street, an area frequented by prostitutes. He was driving very slowly while staring at the women.

When the vehicle did a u-turn and drove back towards the prostitutes it was decided to pull the driver over. The two gardaí saw a large bag in the back seat which they subsequently searched.

The officers found a stun gun, a large knife with the handle covered in black tape, cable ties, binoculars, plastic gloves and a Halloween mask similar to the one seen in the Scream films.

He was immediately arrested and taken to Donnybrook garda station for the possession of an offensive weapon.

A background check on the man determined that he was responsible for randomly stabbing a woman on a Dublin street a number of years ago. The victim was left with serious permanent scarring.

A decade previously he had been acquitted of the rape of a foreign national who had been working in Dublin as a prostitute.

Gardaí are very concerned about the incident on 3 July and believe that the man might have been on his way to attack a prostitute when he was arrested.

He is currently in custody and gardaí are consulting with the Director of Public Prosecutions to determine what charges he should face, but believe that the man poses a serious danger to women.