Man found naked at Annagh Lough pays €2,000 to charity

A MAN from the south of the country, who gardaí found naked at a Cavan scenic spot late at night, has had the charges against him struck out.

The 57 year old man was, however, ordered to pay €2,000 to the poor box.

Cavan District Court heard how gardai on patrol found the naked man in a car park at Annagh Lough on the N3 at 10:56pm on the night of December 16 last.

When officers asked the man what he was doing he said: “Just having fun with a girl.”

He was subsequently arrested and charged at that stage with engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature, being intoxicated in a public place and using threatening and abusive behaviour or language.

When he attended Cavan Garda Station on May 25, the intoxication and abusive behaviour charges were struck out and the man was officially charged with the indecency offence.

He appeared before Cavan District Court two days later and remanded on bail to appear again at Cavan District Court on September 4.

At that sitting his defence solicitor, Niall Fox, said his client was a married man and father of two adult children. His wife accompanied him to court, the solicitor pointed out.

He said the man works a “high-pressurised job” and he was “stressed out” at the time.

He also said at the time the man was undergoing treatment for cancer and that treatment is still ongoing.

“Paraphernalia found in his car by gardaí could be linked to an intention to him taking his own life,” Mr Fox added.

The solicitor said his client had brought €1,000 cash with him to court in the hope “the court would see fit not to record a conviction.”

Mr Fox said his client conceded to gardaí he “had a few drinks” on the night in question and “answered every single question” put to him by officers.

“What you’re asking is a big ask, Mr Fox,” Judge Raymond Finnegan said to the man’s solicitor.

The solicitor responded by saying: “At this stage in his life my client is at no risk of re-offending.”

The court also heard the man has no previous convictions.

“Well, he needs to double that,” Judge Finnegan said referring to the €1,000 the defendant brought to court.

Niall Fox said his client could get another €1,000 cash and, when he returned with it, the money was taken for the poor box to be donated to charity.

The charges were dismissed under the Probation Act.