Convicted man: I was watching the wildlife

A Macroom man who was caught masturbating in bushes near a playground in Cork city said in court yesterday: “I was sightseeing, watching the wildlife.”

Jim Cronin, aged 54, of Teergay, Toonsbridge, Macroom, yesterday denied masturbating at Fitzgerald Park.

Judge Olann Kelleher convicted the accused on a charge of engaging in abusive or insulting behaviour on the morning of August 12, 2015.

Judge Kelleher said he totally accepted the evidence of Niall O’Connor, who had brought his daughter and niece to the park, and witness Jim Cronin. Judge Kelleher described Mr O’Connor as a very impressive witness.

After Cronin was convicted, Insp Daniel Coholan said the accused had previous convictions, including one for sexual assault 14 years ago, and 11 counts of being drunk and a source of danger over the years.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the defendant’s communication skills and other issues would be matters of concern and suggested a probation report in advance of sentencing.

Judge Kelleher said it was a serious matter and agreed that a probation report would be appropriate to identify issues in Cronin’s background that might be addressed.

“I will make it a condition that he stay out of Fitzgerald Park,” the judge said as he adjourned sentencing until November 29.

Mr O’Connor told the court he brought two children to the playground on that day when he noticed a man in the bushes.

“That man was there with his pants down, masturbating, looking at kids. First, I thought he was going for a wee but I went back and he was still at it. By the time I took him out of the bush, another parent also took him out of the bush,” said Mr O’Connor.

Cross-examined on the accuracy of his observation, Mr O’Connor said he did not want to be in court at all and had taken a day off work to give evidence. “I saw him with his hand on his ‘whatchamacallit’ looking at kids,” he said.

Cronin denied masturbating and said no children were in the park at the time. He said another man (Mr Buttimer said the person was not present in court) threatened that “he would kill me stone dead. He said he would kick me in the river and drown me.”

Cronin said the evidence against him was “a set-up”.