Man banned from schools after complaints of lewd acts

An elderly man has been banned from six schools near his home and ordered to notify gardaí of any plans to take a bus or train journey, because of his lewd behaviour on public transport and near schools.

The man, aged 67, cannot be identified by reason of a court ruling.

Judge Patrick J Moran described the incidents referred to, in an affidavit read by Chief Supt Michael Finn at Cork Circuit Court, as revolting and scandalous.

Judge Moran said: “The chief superintendent does not come in here and take the oath and swear an affidavit without good reason.

“You have to have law and order and respect for the citizens of the state.”

The judge then made a Sex Offenders Order under the Sex Offenders Act of 2001, prohibiting the man from being on school properties or outside their gates at any time in the next five years.

He is allowed to use the bus route between his home and the city.

However, if he plans to make any bus or train journey he must notify gardaí at least two hours in advance of the journey.

One of the incidents referred to in the affidavit was a complaint that the man masturbated in public view on a train journey.

Judge Moran made an order preventing identification of the man.

John Devlin, barrister for the respondent, argued that the affidavit consisted of hearsay, as those who witnessed the alleged incidents were not in court to testify, and the defendant was not convicted of the offences.

Chief Supt Finn told Judge Moran of 12 separate incidents where members of the public complained that the 67-year-old had exposed his penis to children or elderly people and had masturbated during some of the incidents.

Judge Moran said the fact of the application could be reported on but the defendant’s name and address could not be disclosed. “This is a matter of public concern; 12 people have been subjected to it. They should know that something is being done about it,” said the judge.