Man sending lewd images of himself 'significantly derailed' female addiction counsellor's life

Judge says wife deserves a prize for her patience after defendant tells court she 'is keeping a good eye on me'

The court heard that the grossly offensive communications to the addiction counsellor concerned one-second videos of the defendant’s penis, and two were of still images of his penis. File photo

An addiction counsellor had her life significantly derailed by the actions of an Ennis man who sent her lewd images of himself, a court has heard.

At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett asked how he could know Shane McCarthy “is not going to offend again and destroy another lady’s life?”

After reading the victim impact statement provided to court by the addiction counsellor, Judge Gabbett said it was “very strong” and it shows that “this lady has had a very significant derailment of her life because of what has happened”.

Mr McCarthy told the court: “I am sorry for all of that.” 

McCarthy, aged 30, of Shanballa, Lahinch Road, Ennis, pleaded guilty to sending four lewd images of himself to his then addiction counsellor on May 5 last year.

A cocaine addict, he told the court that he has been clean since December 18 and “I am living at home and my wife is keeping a good eye on me”. 

In reply, Judge Gabbett said: 

If there are prizes going for patience she would be getting it. 

Solicitor for Mr McCarthy, Darragh Hassett, said it was very important to get a forensic psychologist to carry out a report on his client.

Sgt John Burke told the court that two of the grossly offensive communications to the addiction counsellor concerned one-second videos of Mr McCarthy’s penis, and two were of still images of his penis.

Judge Gabbett said he has concerns for the public over the behaviour of Shane McCarthy who, he said, has also effectively pleaded guilty to masturbating in public at two locations in Ennis in recent months.

Mr McCarthy has pleaded guilty to masturbating in a public place at Silvergrove, Ballybeg, Ennis, on August 31 last year and the possession of cocaine on the same date at Ennis Garda Station.

Mr McCarthy is also before the court where he is charged with masturbating in a public place on December 18 last at Ballyalla Lake on the northern outskirts of Ennis.

Sentencing

Judge Gabbett said prior to sending explicit images of himself to his counsellor, Mr McCarthy had engaged with a female Probation Officer in a similar unwanted sexually explicit manner. 

He said that based on the evidence before him, including the counsellor’s victim impact statement, he would be imposing a headline sentence of nine months in prison.

However, he said he would give Mr McCarthy the benefit of the report by the forensic psychologist. The court also heard that Mr McCarthy is due to be assessed by a treatment centre later this month for his cocaine addiction.

Mr Hassett confirmed to the court that he has been in contact with a male forensic psychologist on behalf of Mr McCarthy. Judge Gabbett asked Mr McCarthy how he was going to interact with any other professional employed to help him. 

He said: “You have been sexually explicit with all of them.”  In response Mr McCarthy said: “I am drug-free at the moment. It won’t be an issue.” 

Mr Hassett said his client has adhered to his bail conditions since December 17 to the letter of the law. Judge Gabbett said if Mr McCarthy re-offends again he will be going straight into custody. He further remanded him on bail to appear in court on January 21.

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