Give yourself up, gardaí urge fugitive paedophile

GARDAÍ yesterday appealed to a paedophile who assaulted seven boys to turn himself in after a judge lifted a court order prohibiting his identification.

James Lombard, aged 36, is wanted for sentencing for the sexual assault of the boys in Cork between 1992 and 1994. He went on the run on the last day of his trial in Cork on February 7 and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

“We appeal to him to make contact with us,” Detective Sergeant Denis Cahill said.

At Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday, counsel for the State, Marjorie Farrelly, made an application to lift an order banning publication of Lombard’s name, confirming the action was supported by his victims.

“In relation to the seven counts he was found guilty of, all injured parties are happy with Mr Lombard’s name and particulars to be published as it does not identify them as they are all strangers to him,” she said.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin agreed to the application after evidence by Det Sgt Denis Cahill indicated Lombard had failed to comply with his bail conditions.

Lombard, a native of Cork and formerly with an address in the Sunday’s Well/Blarney Street area, was extradited from England in June 2004 to face charges arising from the sexual attacks.

He secured bail during the case but subsequently went missing. Lombard is 5’ 8”/9” and of heavy build. He has brown hair and blue eyes and is well-spoken with a slight cockney accent.

Gardaí say he may have been in the rural Cork area in the past number of weeks and are anxious for anyone who sees him to come forward. “If anyone sees him we ask them to immediately make contact with the gardaí,” Det Sgt Cahill said.

“He’s obviously a threat to children and we are anxious to find him as soon as possible,” he said.

Gardaí warned Lombard may have assumed a false identity. “He’s very plausible to anyone who might speak to him and he is well capable of assuming a false name,” Det Sgt Cahill said.

He said on two previous occasions Lombard had conned people into believing he was someone else.

During his trial earlier this month, seven young men gave details of a series of sexual assaults that took place in toilets of city centre fast food restaurants and swimming pools.

Most of the seven, now aged 19 and 20, were between seven and 10 at the time of the offences in the early 1990s.

One described being brought into a cubicle by a man and then having his pants pulled down and private parts fondled.

National director of Children at Risk in Ireland Mary Flaherty said they supported the call for Mr Lombard to give himself up. “His victims cannot have any closure until the process is complete,” she said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí at Gurranabraher station in Cork on 021-4946200 or on 1800-250025.