Ireland's Herald reported that an Irish man who last year allegedly raped his mother twice on Mother's Day was traced to Malta by the Irish police.

The newspaper said the 44-year-old was also suspected of having seriously assaulted elderly women across Dublin and was described by the police as a "highly dangerous criminal".

When asked about it, the Malta police said they could not take any action before a European arrest warrant was issued.

The Irish newspaper said the man had jumped bail after being charged with serious offences against his mother and had been hiding on the island since early last year.

The Herald said he had a previous conviction for sexual assault and Irish police sources were quoted as saying he was "one of the most heinous and unstable criminals they have come across".

The newspaper said the mother, now in her late 60s, had a medical condition and was left "extremely traumatised" by the attack.

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