Man jailed for fondling himself in public library

An elderly man who engaged in an indecent act while watching girls studying in Cork City library, was jailed yesterday.

The man, who also appeared on a charge of stealing cash the previous day, was jailed for a total of 10 months.

Insp Bill Duane said the incident occurred at 2pm on Feb 6, 2012.

“A woman studying in the library saw a male with a SuperValu bag and wearing a tracksuit. He went to the area where he was looking at girls and he was touching himself through his pocket.

“When he saw them look at him, he started walking closer and then walking away. He put his hands down his pants and fiddled with himself.”

Anthony Goodman, aged 68, of Charlemont Terrace, Cork, pleaded guilty yesterday at Cork District Court to the indecency charge.

Judge Leo Malone sentenced him to six months in prison for the indecency. A consecutive sentence of four months was imposed for stealing €340 from the handbag of a member of staff at Bully’s in Douglas village on Feb 5, 2012.

Goodman appeared in Cork District Court by video link from prison. “I am very sorry, I was a bit drunk, I was drinking heavily. I am 68 years of age. I want to turn my life around,” he said.

Solicitor Eddie Burke said the defendant’s fear at this stage of his life was that he would die in prison.

The same defendant got a four-month sentence last week for masturbating on a train from Dublin to Cork.

Yesterday’s indecency conviction brought to seven, his total number of such offences. He has over 170 previous convictions, including an 18-month sentence in Dublin 13 years ago for a sexual assault.