Drunken flasher is jailed for five months
Carlow Courthouse
A MAN who exposed himself in public while intoxicated has been sentenced to five months in prison after Judge Geraldine Carthy said a probation report raised concerns about his “negative interactions with women” and compulsive behaviour when drinking.
Konrad Wrzodek (33) of 26 Clayton Hall, Staplestown Road, Carlow appeared before Carlow District Court, produced from a prison van on foot of a bench warrant. He is currently serving a six-month prison sentence that is due to expire in November.
The matter before Judge Carthy was for finalisation following a probation report in relation to an offence under section 45(1) of the , that is, exposing his genitals in public and for being intoxicated in public.
Solicitor Joe Farrell, addressing Judge Carthy, acknowledged the seriousness of the matter, telling the court: “You were unimpressed with what you heard.”
“He was intoxicated and has limited memory of the incident. He is not downplaying it, though,” Mr Farrell added.
The court heard that the incident had been captured on video by a member of the public.
In mitigation, Mr Farrell said the probation report detailed his client’s “personal background, where he is residing an isolated life”, though he had “some family support”. He said Mr Wrzodek was “very keen to move forward and find employment” and had previously had a good work history.
“Alcohol was a huge factor,” the solicitor said, adding that his client was “quite contrite”.
However, Judge Carthy said the probation report had raised concerns for the court, specifically around the defendant’s “negative interactions with women” and compulsive behaviour while intoxicated.
“While he entered a guilty plea, he continues to minimise matters,” she said, referring to his continued insistence that he had limited memory of the incident due to intoxication.
“There are concerns regarding his hostility towards women, impulsiveness and limited coping strategies,” she added.
The judge noted that Mr Wrzodek had been abstaining from alcohol since the offence and had secured stable accommodation with his sister, which, she said, was a positive factor. Nonetheless, Judge Carthy said the offence had reached the threshold for custody.
“The offence before the court is serious enough. In all circumstances, it has reached the threshold for custody. Community service would not be appropriate,” she said.
She convicted and sentenced the defendant to five months in prison. “I won’t add this to the current sentence – it will start from today,” she said.
