Clare man charged with indecent exposure

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A COUNTY Clare man already facing charges of sending lewd pictures of himself to three females faces a new charge of committing a solo sex act in public on the early Galway to Limerick train service.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, the 39 year old man appeared in connection with being charged that on February 20th this year at an unknown location between Oranmore and Athenry on a Galway to Limerick train service of engaging in masturbation in a public place.

The charge is contrary to Section 45 (2) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act. In evidence of arrest, charge and caution today, Garda Francis Finnegan said that the accused made no reply.

Judge Mary Cashin granted legal aid to solicitor, Stiofan Fitzpatrick to represent the accused on the new charge.

Insp Aiden Lonergan stated that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recommended that the case be heard in the district court and the case could be adjourned to October 11th to allow documents in the case be provided to Mr Fitzpatrick. Judge Cashin adjourned the case to October 11th where the accused will either seek a date for hearing or enter a guilty plea.

Mr Fitzpatrick said: “There were reporting restrictions in relation to the other matters already before the court. I would ask that this extend to the new charge.”

Judge Cashin imposed reporting restrictions on the new charge and all cases are adjourned to October 11th next. The alleged offence on the train came only nine days before the man made his first appearance in court on March 1st concerning sending the alleged lewd images of himself to females. The court previously heard that it will be alleged that the man randomly selected a Co Kerry woman’s phone number before sending her a lewd image of himself on October 16th 2020.

The man is facing two related charges of sending lewd images of himself to two other females living outside Clare on May 1st 2021 and three days later on May 4th 2021. In one case, the man is charged with on May 1st 2021 of intentionally engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature by