Rossbeigh flasher is on ‘last chance’

A PROBATION report into a man who exposed his genitals to the public has said that he is at “moderate risk” of re-offending, Cahersiveen District Court has heard.

Patrick Walsh of Moanree, Newcastlewest, was before the court on two separate charges of exposing his genitals with the intention of causing “fear, stress or alarm” to another person. One incident occurred in Ballycleave, Glenbeigh, and the other one in Rossbeigh beach within days of each other in May, 2017.

The case had previously been heard and had been adjourned to allow for a probation report to be brought to the court.

Defence solicitor Padraig O’Connell said that the incident had occurred when Mr Walsh lost his employment and that he has since got a job which has helped improve his mood and help him feel more positive. The court heard that Mr Walsh’s relationship has also broken down because of the of the case.

“He has expressed remorse, shown insight, and it would appear that he is adamant that he won’t reoffend,” he said, adding that his GP is satisfied that is the case.

“It would appear from the report that the man has seen the error of his ways.”

He also said that the publicity of the case led to suffering for Mr Walsh and a source of a lot of pressure.

Judge David Waters said that the medical report doesn’t say much and that the GP only says that Mr Walsh told him he won’t reoffend.

He added that the probation report states that he is a moderate risk of re-offending but also states that there is “quite a denial” in relation to the offending behaviour and that his intentions were misconstrued.

He convicted Mr Walsh for one of the offences and gave him a three-month suspended sentence.

He also warned Mr Walsh that he was on his “last chance” and would be going to jail if he engaged in this behaviour again.