FBI captures fugitive in '99 Irish rape case
A fugitive who fled Ireland six years ago after admitting that he raped a woman as she walked home from a disco was nabbed yesterday by the FBI's Violent Fugitive Task Force as he remodeled a Roslindale home.
As he was escorted into federal court in handcuffs, Michael Christian Moran , 29, of Dublin was wearing khaki shorts and a yellow T-shirt emblazoned with the name of the remodeling company, Weatherwatch Exteriors.
A woman who answered the phone at the Norwood number advertised on Moran's shirt hung up the phone when asked about the fugitive, saying: "No. No. Bye. Bye."
Moran pleaded guilty to raping a 27-year-old woman in Carlow, Ireland, in July 1999, then failed to show up for his sentencing in October 2001, the FBI said. A complaint unsealed yesterday alleges that Moran dragged the woman to the ground and covered her mouth while he raped her. DNA evidence later matched him to the crime, the complaint says.
The FBI had listed Moran as a wanted fugitive who should be considered armed and dangerous, though not one of its Ten Most Wanted, and said he was believed to have fled to Boston. The federal court in Boston issued a warrant for his arrest two years ago. Earlier this year, investigators were looking for him in the Cleveland area.
A break in the manhunt came when an anonymous tipster called Quincy police, who alerted the FBI to Moran's whereabouts, an FBI spokeswoman said. The task force arrested Moran without incident at about 11:45 a.m. as he worked outside a home on Birch Street in Roslindale, the FBI said.
Moran was believed to be living on Friend Street in Boston, according to the arrest warrant.
US Magistrate Judge Marianne B. Bowler ordered Moran held without bail and scheduled a detention hearing for next Wednesday. During a brief hearing yesterday, Moran said he could afford to hire his own lawyer. He didn't say whether he'll fight extradition.
Moran's wife, a young woman with long, dark hair, attended yesterday's hearing but declined to comment afterward.
Shelley Murphy can be reached at shmurphy@globe.com 
