A MAN already facing charges of sending lewd pictures of himself to three women, 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 (July 19), the 39-year-old man appeared in connection with being charged that on February 20 this year, at an unknown location between Oranmore and Athenry on a Galway to Limerick train service, he engaged 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 on Wednesday, 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 11 to allow documents in the case be provided to Mr Fitzpatrick.
Judge Cashin adjourned the case to October 11 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 11 next.
The alleged offence on the train came only nine days before the man made his first appearance in court on March 1 concerning allegations of sending the lewd images of himself to women.
The court previously heard that it will be alleged that the man randomly selected a County Kerry woman’s phone number before sending her a lewd image of himself on October 16, 2020.
The man is facing two related charges of sending lewd images of himself to two other women living outside Clare on May 1 2021 and three days later on May 4 2021.
In one case, the man is charged with on May 1, 2021, of intentionally engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature by sending an image of his genitals via WhatsApp to a woman in such a manner as to cause fear, distress or alarm.
The man faces a similar charge that on May 4, 2021 of intentionally engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature by sending an image of his genitals via WhatsApp to another woman in such a manner as to cause fear, distress or alarm.
The charges are contrary to Section 45(3) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017.
In relation to the new charge Insp Lonergan said that the bail conditions already in place can be extended.
The man’s bail conditions include that he does not engage with social media communications with any females unknown to him; be of good behaviour; sign on weekly at his local Garda station; and have no contract directly or indirectly with the alleged injured parties.
