Groper on Carlow-Athy train jailed for six months
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A MAN who sexually assaulted both a man and a woman on the Carlow-Athy train was sentenced to six months in prison.
At his first appearance last February, Garda Emma Carroll told Athy District Court how “on 3 November 2023 on a train journey between Carlow and Athy, he engaged in some inappropriate touching”.
“He rubbed his hand along his thigh, and touched her breast,” she clarified.
“The male reported it at the next stop, and he was arrested that night.
“He says he does not remember."
This week (22 July), because of his guilty plea, Sergeant Dave Hanrahan could list his four previous convictions – two public order offences and two road traffic matters.
In mitigation, his solicitor Seamus Taaffe said his client was “a qualified chef, single and has no children”.
He cannot be identified due to reporting restrictions.
“Are the victims adult?” enquired Judge Desmond Zaidan.
“Yes, judge,” assured Mr Taaffe.
“I would be seeking a probation report,” he asked.
“Was he drunk?” asked the judge.
“Very drunk,” said Mr Taaffe.
“That doesn’t justify it. Nobody would like their female relative to be groped,” said the judge.
“It took courage for this male and female to give their evidence,” said Sgt Hanrahan.
“The defendant is the victim in a very sensitive case in Carlow,” explained the court-appointed translator, but did not give any further detail.
“He is not the first to give evidence of sexual abuse,” noted the judge. “This is now turned around into sexual abuse."
Mr Taaffe reminded the court his client was a heavy drinker but Judge Zaidan was not for turning, and sentenced the man to six months in jail for the female and a further six months – concurrent – for the male, and set an appeal bond of €1,000.
“That’s the best I can do,” he said.
Noting that the charges were both under S2 of the Criminal Law (Rape Act, the judge put the man on the Sex Offenders Register for two years after consulting with Sgt Hanrahan.
