I am in contact with gardai, he could come to Ireland...

Dubliner Hazel Behan is mulling security measures; She has been the victim of online abuse recently

- PAUL HEALY

THE Irishwoman who accuses Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner of rape is considering security measures as he's released from prison today.

Convicted sex offender Brueckner, 49, is set to walk free from a German prison after serving his sentence for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman in Portugal.

Now brave Dubliner Hazel Behan, who accused Brueckner of rape in court, says she has gone to gardai and is considering taking security measures as there is technically nothing stopping the monster from coming to Ireland.

"Yes I have considered security measures and I am in contact with the gardai about this," Hazel confirmed exclusively to this paper.

"Yes he could come to Ireland. Unless certain restrictions are put upon him he is free to travel wherever he likes.

"The terms of his release haven't been released and if they have I haven't seen or heard them.

"My fear is he could be anywhere as he has proven himself to be a person who floats under the radar and avoids the police.

"I can't identify with a mind like that - I don't know what he will or won't do but I am aware of what he's capable of and that scares me."

Hazel made headlines around the world after she accused Brueckner, who is suspected of abducting and killing British tot Madeleine, of being the man who broke into her apartment in Portugal where he tied her up and violently raped her at knifepoint in 2004.

DISTINCTIVE

She recognised Brueckner as her masked attacker by his distinctive eyes when his mugshot was released in 2020 - and subsequently contacted Operation Grange. German prosecutors are now set to appeal after Brueckner was acquitted on the matter following his 2020 trial.

Speaking to this paper today, Hazel, who has become a strong advocate for abuse survivors, says she is now living in fear all over again thanks to Brueckner's release.