'˜Paedophile hunter' from Co Derry fails to show up in court

A so-called '˜paedophile hunter' ordered to pay damages to a convicted child abuser failed to turn up in court yesterday for his appeal against the ruling.

By The Newsroom

Published 5th Apr 2016, 08:07 BST

Updated 5th Apr 2016, 08:11 BST

Limavady man Joe McCloskey and Facebook are both challenging a verdict that they were jointly liable to the sex offender awarded £20,000 compensation.

As the hearing got under way at the Court of Appeal a panel of three senior judges were informed that he was not in attendance.

Inviting Facebook’s lawyers to open their case, Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan said: “If at any stage Mr McCloskey makes an appearance we can deal with that.”

Mr McCloskey was sued along with the social media giant over a page he operated to name and shame sex offenders in Northern Ireland.