Detectives hunt missing sex offender

Detectives were today hunting a convicted child sex offender believed to be at large in Ireland.

Officers at Gurranabraher, Co Cork, are anxious to trace and arrest James Lombard, aged 37, a garda spokesman said.

Lombard, with an address at Winters Hill, Cork, was convicted in his absence at Cork Circuit Court on February 7 of a number of sexual assaults.

An order restricting the release of information about the case was lifted today, the spokesman said.

Lombard is described as 5ft 8 ins (173cm) tall with short mousey brown hair brushed to one side. He has green eyes, slightly prominent teeth and speaks with a slight London accent.

“Anyone with any information about this man is asked to contact the gardaí,” a spokesman added.