JAMES LOMBARD'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN CO CORK: SERIAL PEDOPHILE SENTENCED FOR MULTIPLE ABUSES

In a disturbing series of criminal acts that have shocked the community of Co Cork, James Lombard, a 37-year-old man with a long history of sexual offenses, has been convicted and sentenced for multiple heinous crimes involving young children. The latest incident occurred on February 20, when Lombard approached a 10-year-old girl shortly after she left morning mass near Cork city centre. Under the guise of being a doctor, he lured her into the grounds of a nearby convent, where he attempted to sexually assault her. The young girl, showing remarkable resistance, managed to escape and ran home to inform her mother about the terrifying encounter.

At the time, Lombard was a wanted man, having absconded from authorities while awaiting trial for abusing young boys. His criminal history is extensive, with previous convictions for sexual offenses dating back to 1994. Lombard’s criminal activities spanned over a decade, during which he targeted children in various locations across Cork, including fast-food restaurants, swimming pools, and sports grounds.

In a court hearing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Sean O’Donnabhain sentenced Lombard to an additional seven years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of the 10-year-old girl. This sentence is to run consecutively with a prior seven-year sentence handed down in May for abusing 16 children over a period of 16 months. The earlier convictions involved assaults in public places such as restaurants, swimming pools, and sports venues. Lombard’s name has become synonymous with predatory behavior, and he was also ordered to be placed on the Sex Offenders List for life.

During the proceedings, Judge O’Donnabhain expressed his condemnation of Lombard’s actions, stating that the demons which had haunted him since the 1980s and 1990s still lingered. The judge emphasized the severity of Lombard’s transgressions, describing them as some of the most appalling violations of human dignity imaginable. He further remarked that Lombard poses a significant danger to society, highlighting the deep psychological faults that have not been addressed despite his long history of offending.

The court was informed that Lombard had made a candid confession regarding the recent attack on the young girl. His defense lawyer, Blaise O’Carroll, conveyed Lombard’s remorse, stating that his client was deeply sorry for his actions and had apologized to the victim and her family.

It was also revealed that Lombard had previously fled Ireland in February, just as he was about to face trial for sexually assaulting seven young boys. He was convicted in absentia and later apprehended by Gardaí on February 28. In April, Lombard pleaded guilty to assaulting an additional seven boys and two girls aged between four and ten. His criminal journey began in 1994 when he was first arrested and admitted to abusing children. After fleeing Ireland, Lombard was eventually located in an English jail, where he was serving time under the alias John Kelleher for a similar offense. He was extradited back to Ireland in June of the previous year.

In a related case from June 2005, Lombard was sentenced to five years in prison for abusing children in various locations across Cork. His crimes included sexually assaulting a four-year-old boy in the street outside his home, pulling down the child's pants and touching him. The court heard how Lombard targeted children as young as four, with the oldest victim being just ten years old. Judge O’Donnabhain described Lombard as a predator who had gone to great lengths to prey on innocent children, including an incident at the Leisureplex complex in the Mardyke in 1993, where he sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl. Lombard had also attacked an eight-year-old boy in Burgerland in Cork city centre, in May 1993, when he was caught in the act by the boy’s mother.

Despite multiple convictions, Lombard continued his pattern of offending, often fleeing before justice could be fully served. He was re-arrested in Carrigaline, Co Cork, in late February after absconding during his trial. His criminal record includes charges from 1995, when he first faced allegations, and subsequent convictions for abusing multiple children over the years. His criminal activities spanned across Ireland and even into the UK, where he was found serving time under a false name before being extradited.

Judge O’Donnabhain’s sentencing reflected the gravity of Lombard’s crimes, emphasizing the detailed and vivid memories of his victims and the serious harm inflicted upon them. The court’s verdict underscores the ongoing threat Lombard poses to society and the importance of lifelong monitoring for sex offenders of his nature.