A CONVICTED sex offender who is wanted by police in Britain appeared in court in Cavan town yesterday, where he was remanded in custody.
William John Paden (56), a UK-registered sex offender of no fixed abode, was before Judge Patrick Clyne for failing to notify gardaí of his presence in Cavan and the jurisdiction, contrary to section 10 of the Sex Offenders Act.
Lancashire police have been seeking to have Paden returned to jail since he absconded from an address in Blackpool a week ago.
Paden is banned from associating with children unless they are accompanied by an adult aged 21 and upwards.
He was arrested by gardaí on Wednesday at a popular swimming spot at Drumcrow, Ballyhaise, Co Cavan, and taken into custody in Cavan town.
He has 19 sexual convictions dating back to 1974, including rape and indecent assault on a child.
As the defendant stood to face the charge, Garda Insp Ray McMahon, Cavan town, applied for him to be remanded in custody for a week to July 8th.
Defence solicitor Gareth Fortune said that during next week’s court sitting, he might lodge a bail application.
He understood that his client would be remanded to Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon but requested that he be transferred to Arbour Hill Prison in Dublin instead and be afforded “appropriate medical treatment”.
Mr Fortune said: “I ask for a recommendation for transfer to Arbour Hill as it would be a more appropriate prison, Judge.”
Judge Clyne said: “All I can do is make the recommendation.”