Sex abuser flees his Galway city bolthole

Convicted paedophile Patrick Naughton has fled his bolthole in Salthill.

Local residents expressed relief that the child rapist appeared to pack up and leave his rented accommodation after the Connacht Tribune hit the shelves last week.

However, they still have concerns that 60-year-old Naughton – described as a “sick maniac” by his victim – could return.

Under the Sex Offenders Act 2001, Naughton has until Friday night to inform Gardaí of his new address – if he fails to provide the information, he could face up to five years in prison.

He is believed to have returned to Carraroe, where he lived for some time immediately after his release at the end of 2014.

Locals in the mature estate – into which many young families have moved in recent years – looked on last Friday as he appeared to pack his belongings.

His 99-registered Mercedes – which he purchased for €1,200 after being released from prison – has not been seen outside the property since Friday night.

Residents were horrified to discover that the vicious sex offender was living in their midst – and within 700 metres of three primary schools and within a 2km radius of a total of six primary schools.

At least one of the primary schools informed all parents of Naughton’s presence in Salthill following the exposé in last week’s Tribune.

Worried local parents held a packed residents’ meeting on Sunday night – which was also attended by a community Garda and local area councillor Colette Connolly – where they demanded to know how Naughton had been allowed to live in a residential area, and who had approved the move.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.