Paedophile moves on after Athlone protests

Gardai confirmed this week that a convicted paedophile who had been living in Athlone has moved from his residence in recent days.

It's believed that 60-year-old Patrick Naughton is no longer living in the town.

Naughton, from Cinn Mhara, Camus, Connemara, served an 11-year sentence for raping, buggering, and threatening to kill his daughter from when she was nine years old.

It emerged over Christmas that Naughton had moved to an area close to a youth centre in Athlone.

This revelation led to outcry locally, particularly among parents of young children who live there and who attend the youth centre.

Two protests were organised on Monday, one each in the morning and evening.

Just a handful of people attended the morning protest, but as momentum gathered there were up to 50 in attendance at the evening protest.

Gardai said Naughton had lived in the rented property in Athlone since October and they were aware of his presence before it was highlighted in the media.