Man allegedly walked around Dublin centre with genitals out, ‘flaunting‘ them at passers-by

Neill Dolan (31) is accused of exposing himself as he walked in broad daylight in an area popular with shoppers and tourists.

He was seen by passing gardaí and told them he had soiled himself when they confronted him, a court heard.

Judge Bryan Smyth granted him bail and adjourned the case at Dublin District Court, for the directions of the DPP to be given.

Mr Dolan, with an address at a city centre hostel, is charged with offensive conduct of a sexual nature.

Objecting to bail, a garda cited the seriousness and gravity of the offence, which is under Section 45 of the Sexual Offences Act and is indictable.

Outlining the prosecution's case, he said it was alleged the accused “exposed himself in public during the afternoon in a built-up area, at a popular tourist attraction” and in an area “popular with shoppers, especially at this time of year.”

He said gardaí were in a patrol car at Bachelor’s Walk at 3.15pm on November 23.

Mr Dolan was walking past the Arlington Hotel and allegedly “had his genitals out” as he walked, the garda alleged.

“He was walking in the direction of the Ha'penny Bridge in a nonchalant manner, flaunting his genitals at passers-by as he approached them,” he told the judge.

Mr Dolan had told the gardaí he had soiled himself when they got out of the car and approached him. He was arrested and taken to Store Street garda station where he was charged.

The court heard the directions of the DPP were needed in the case.

Applying for bail, Mr Dolan’s solicitor said the accused was presumed innocent and when he was apprehended, he told gardaí the circumstances, that he had soiled himself. There was no evidence Mr Dolan would not turn up in court if granted bail, the solicitor said.

Judge Smyth granted bail in Mr Dolan’s own bond of €200, with no cash lodgement required.

Under conditions, he must sign on daily at a garda station and be contactable at all times by mobile phone.

He is also to be of good behaviour and not commit any offences.

The accused was remanded on continuing bail to a date in January.

The judge granted free legal aid after hearing the accused was in receipt of social welfare and had no assets. The solicitor submitted a statement of his client’s financial means.