Banned sex offender charged

A 69-year-old man banned under the Sex Offenders Act from entering school buildings was brought before Cork District Court yesterday charged with contravening the order by entering a school at lunchtime last week.

Anthony Goodman, with an address at an apartment at Charlemont Terrace, Wellington Rd, Cork, was charged by Detective Sergeant Vincent O’Sullivan that, on June 11, just before 1pm, he entered Scoil Mhuire secondary school, Wellington Rd, Cork.

The charge alleged that this was in contravention of a Sex Offenders order made in respect of him on June 29, 2012, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

The alleged entry to the school was described as being contrary to Section 22 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001.

Inspector Mary King applied for an adjournment of the case until July 29, to allow time for directions to be obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

There was no prosecution objection to the accused being remanded on bail.

However, the inspector wanted certain conditions attached to the bail.

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said the defendant had no problem with the bail conditions.

They require him to live at his home address, consume no intoxicants, and stay away from the vicinity of all national and secondary schools.

Under the fourth condition, he is only allowed to travel on the number 208 bus in Cork City and must notify gardaí two hours in advance if he is intending to use any other public transport.

Judge Tim Lucey adjourned the case until July 29 on those bail conditions.