A priest caught masturbating in his car at Blackrock in Salthill received a one month suspended sentence at Galway District Court.
Jerry Carey (60), with an address in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, pleaded guilty to intentionally engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature.
The court heard that on August 3 of last year, Gardaà received a report of a man masturbating at Blackrock, where Mr Carey was caught in his car.
Mr Carey’s solicitor said that his client was “shocked and remorseful” at his own behaviour, and felt deeply ashamed. That day he had come up to visit Galway
He stepped aside from his professional duties as a priest immediately afterwards, and had been dreading this day for the six months the solicitor added.
At the time he was under a lot of stress due to recent health issues, the court heard. He had no previous criminal convictions, and had never come to Garda attention.
Judge Mary Fahy said that Blackrock is a public area, where families go to swim and relax by the beach, and that this type of behaviour is “highly upsetting” for people to see in public.
She accepted that he was in his own car, but added that he could clearly be seen, as someone reported him to the police.
Judge Fahy sentenced Mr Carey to one month in prison, and suspended the sentence for a year, on the condition that he stay away from the area of the offence.
The court granted leave to appeal the sentence, with recognisance fixed at €200 of his own bond.
