Suspected paedophile on run after being given bail

Published on Tuesday 1 April 2008 22:11

A SUSPECTED paedophile who was extradited from Ireland to face charges in Scotland has gone on the run after being granted bail by a sheriff.

Paulnacha O'Mairthini, 41, was due to face trial in connection with a series of serious sexual abuse charges at the High Court in Perth yesterday.

However, the trial had to be called off after the court was told O'Mairthini had fled back to Ireland after being granted bail.

The former manager of child care resources at Orkney Islands Council was extradited from Ireland in February last year.

He was remanded in custody on 26 February after appearing in private at Perth Sheriff Court. But three days later, O'Mairthini applied for a bail review and he was granted his freedom by Sheriff Robert McCreadie.

His address was given as care of his solicitor in Perth and he was granted bail on condition that he surrendered his passport. However, at the High Court yesterday, a clearly angered Lord Philip pointed out that he did not need a passport to return to Ireland.

He apologised to members of the public who had turned up for jury duty and issued a warrant for O'Mairthini's arrest.

O'Mairthini, formerly of Perth, faces charges of sexually abusing boys and supplying them with drugs. A number of the alleged offences took place while he was a supervisor at a holiday activity centre in Perthshire and on trips to New York.