Man goes missing before conviction for abuse of boys

Gardaí have appealed to the public for information in trying to track down a man who went missing just hours before he was convicted this month of sexually assaulting seven young boys in a fast-food restaurant, toilets and swimming pools.

James Lombard (36) failed to show up for the last day of his trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on charges of sexually assaulting the boys, aged seven to 10, in Cork city between August 1992 and March 1994.

All evidence in the case had been heard and the jury unanimously convicted Lombard in his absence on February 7th. But he could not be named until yesterday when Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin lifted a prohibition on disclosing his identity.

Det Sgt Denis Cahill told yesterday's hearing that Lombard had failed to comply with the terms of his bail set by the High Court last July and that when he failed to show up in court on February 7th, gardaí obtained a bench warrant for his arrest.

They conducted extensive inquiries and Lombard's name and description had been circulated widely within the force.

Although they believe he is still in the jurisdiction, they have so far failed to find him, said Det Sgt Cahill. Barrister for the State, Ms Marjorie Farrelly, said that previously the State had applied to have a prohibition put on naming Lombard until yesterday but the DPP had instructed that the State should seek to have the ban on publicity lifted.

Ms Farrelly assured Judge Ó Donnabháin that the State had informed the injured parties of its intention and they were all agreeable to having Lombard named as they had no relationship or connection with him and naming him would not identify them.

Judge Ó Donnabháin granted the application and lifted the prohibition.

He adjourned the matter generally until the arrest warrant for Lombard was executed.

Gardaí described Lombard as being 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall, of stocky build with brown hair.

He speaks with a hint of a "cockney" accent, having lived in Britain for over seven years from where he was extradited back to Ireland to stand trial on these charges.

Gardaí also said Lombard had been known to use aliases and is plausible in the stories he concocts to support his use of false names.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the gardaí at Gurranbraher, Cork, on 0214946200.