A convicted paedophile being sought by British police has been remanded in custody by a Cavan court charged with failing to notify gardaí he was in the Republic.
William John Paden (56), who was being sought by police in Lancashire for recall to prison after he left an agreed address in Blackpool last week, was arrested yesterday afternoon at Ballyhaise, Co Cavan.
He appeared in Cavan District Court this morning charge with a breach of his obligations under the Sexual Offenders Act.
He is accused of failing to notify gardaí that he had entered the jurisdiction. Under section 10 of the Act, sex offenders who enter Ireland are required to provide the Garda with the name or names they use, home address and date of birth.
The court was told Paden was charged by Garda Gerard McGee in Cavan Garda station last night.
He appeared in court today dressed in a light blue T-shirt, jeans and brown shoes.
There was no application for bail. Paden’s solicitor, Gareth Fortune, said he intended to make a bail application at a further sitting.
Judge Patrick Clyne remanded the accused to reappear at Cavan District Court next week.
Detectives believe Paden may have travelled to Northern Ireland first before entering the Republic.
He is a registered sex offender with 19 sexual convictions dating back to 1974, including rape, indecently assaulting a girl, assault with intent to rape and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. He is banned from associating with children unless they are accompanied by an adult aged over 21.