This article is from page 18 of the 2007-10-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
A MAN has been convicted of ex- posing himself as he sat in his car on the outskirts of Ennis.
Patrick Nono Unshevla (39) of O’Connell Street, Ennis, was con- victed of exposing his penis in such a way as to offend modesty at Gort Road, Ennis, on September 6 last.
A 30-year-old woman told Ennis District Court last Wednesday that she was walking along with her young son at 4pm when she saw a white car parked outsider River House.
As they walked by the car she saw man who was sitting in the car with his trousers open. He had his hand down his trousers. She immediately rang Ennis Garda Station.
Defending solicitor William Cahir said his client would say he was re- siding in his car and was washing himself at the time.
‘He is homeless and he was at-
tending to his hygiene… At no stage did he expose his penis,’ said Mr Cahir.
Garda Shane O’Connell said he went to the scene. “I saw a black man sitting in the car masturbating. I asked him to step out of the car. He stepped out of the car. I noticed he had an erection,’ said the garda.
Mr Cahir said the car was parked in a “discreet” area and wasn’t on the side of a main road. He said his client “wasn’t in an aroused state”’.
Garda O’Connell replied, “I wouldn’t call it discreet. The whole road can see.”
The accused, who has lived in Ire- land for the past eight years told the court his penis was not on display when the gardai arrived.
Judge Eamonn O’Brien said he had considered the evidence. He convicted the accused and also con- victed him of engaging in threaten- ing, insulting or abusive behaviour. He fined him €200.