Accused of masturbating at Laois playground

A man appeared in court accused of masturbating at the playground of Laois Leisure Centre in Portlaoise. 

The man (28), who cannot be named due to reporting restrictions, appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court accused of masturbating in public at Laois Leisure Centre on August 19, 2023.  

Detective Garda Micheal O’Donovan said he arrested the accused and cautioned him. He said in reply to the charge the man said: “I want everything to be over and behind me. I want to settle everything”.

Det O’Donovan said the DPP had directed that the case be dealt with in the district court subject to the Judge Susan Fay accepting jurisdiction. 

Det O’Donovan said Laois Leisure Centre had received “a report of an unidentified male acting suspiciously in a playground/skate boarding area” at around 2.50pm. 

He said a manager from the Leisure Centre went to check and observed a male at the top of the park with his pants down and penis out masturbating. The male walked away in the direction of Tower Hill, said Det O’Donovan. 

He told Judge Fay that “the first person  that came in to report had children with her”.  

Judge Fay noted the incident had occurred during the summer holidays in a play area at 2.50pm. She described the fact that there were children around as a clearly aggravating factor. 

Det O’Donovan described the area which has a leisure centre, playground, astro pitches and a skate park. He offered to bring a map of the location to assist Judge Fay. 

Judge Fay said that would be helpful and she adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on January 26 to consider jurisdiction.