Fugitive paedophile caught walking down street

SERIAL sex offender James Lombard was caught yesterday in Carrigaline, Co Cork, where he was walking down the street in the mid-afternoon.

Three weeks to the day of his conviction for sexually assaulting seven boys in toilets of fast food restaurants and swimming pools in Cork, he was caught and arrested in Carrigaline by Detective Garda Ian Breen.

Lombard, aged 36, from the Blarney Street/Sunday's Well area of Cork, looked composed at Cork District Court as Judge Tim Lucey remanded him in custody, on the application of Inspector Denis O'Shea.

Det Gda Breen described the circumstances of Lombard's arrest in Carrigaline.

"At around 3.20pm today, I was walking down Main Street, Carrigaline. I observed the accused walking towards me.

"I followed him with assistance of my colleagues. He informed me his name was James Lombard. I was aware of a circuit court warrant in existence for his arrest. I arrested him and conveyed him to Togher Garda Station. I served him with the bench warrant," Det Gda Breen said. Three hours after his arrest, Judge Lucey asked the accused in Cork District Court: "Are you James Lombard?"

Lombard, dressed in runners, blue jeans and a grey/blue fleece jacket, replied: "That is correct your honour."

Solicitor Eddie Burke applied for free legal aid to represent the accused.

The judge assigned him after he was told Lombard was unemployed and in receipt of social welfare.

The judge remanded Lombard in custody to Youghal Circuit Court at 12.30pm today.

Judge Sean O'Donnabhain is sitting in Youghal this week and he was the judge who presided over the case where a jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict in less than 45 minutes on each of the seven sexual assault charges against Lombard at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

A bench warrant was issued for his arrest, moments after his conviction.

Lombard was not in court for the last day of his case.

The case continued in his absence where lawyers for the prosecution and defence addressed the jury, and the judge then put them formally in charge of the case.

At the time there was a legal prohibition on identifying him. That prohibition was lifted on Friday by Judge O'Donnabhain.

It is not anticipated that sentencing will take place today. It is more likely he will be remanded in custody for about two months so reports can be prepared and that sentencing will take place possibly in late April.