A MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED to 12 years in prison for the attempted rape of a young woman in Moycullen, Co Galway, in April 2009, with the final three years of the sentence suspended.

Russell Murray, 33, of Clydagh, Moycullen, was arrested when he returned to the scene to collect his van.

Detectives had discovered a rucksack containing prepared strips of duct tape, vaseline, rope and a dog lead at the scene of the attack.

The court heard garda evidence earlier this week that a memory card containing digital images taken up women’s skirts was found on Russell after his arrest.

Murray was found guilty of attempting to rape a woman in early in the morning as she headed to work. The 24-year-old Polish woman managed to free herself and displace her attacker’s balaclava, causing him to flee.

The court heard that Murray told gardaí he had planned to rob and rape the first women who came along.

RTÉ reports that the judge, Justice Paul Carney, also sentenced Murray to five years for assault, to be served concurrently. Carney ordered supervision for Murray for eight years following his release.