Man exposed himself during Halloween festival of light event in Louth

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A man who exposed himself during the Lú Festival of Light in Drogheda last year has been referred to the Probation Service.

Eugene Geraghty (42), of no fixed abode at the time, pleaded guilty to a charge of intentionally engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature, and to public intoxication.

Separately, he admitted possession of €20 cannabis at Palace Street, Drogheda, on January 1 last.

Regarding the substantive issue, the defendant instructed that he was being goaded at the time by workers on a building site.

Gda Emer Farrelly testified that at 7.27pm on October 27, 2024, she was on the beat in West Street, Drogheda. There were hundreds of people in the area for the Lú Festival of Light.

Security men alleged to her that a man had pulled down his trousers and boxer shorts, exposing his genitals.

Following his arrest, Gda Farrelly said that Mr Geraghty replied after caution, “I wouldn’t do that”.

Cross-examined by solicitor Fergal Boyle, the witness said that the defendant’s backside could be seen on CCTV, but in the process he had exposed his genitals.

Mr Boyle submitted that there was a specific offence for genitalia. This suggested it was his client’s “bare end”.

Gda Farrelly replied that the DPP had directed the charge, adding that genitalia aren’t defined under the Act.

The court heard that Mr Geraghty has one previous conviction for theft.

Mr Boyle said that his client is very embarrassed. It was absolutely disgraceful conduct at a family event.

It was not his intention. He shouldn’t have done it. He was being goaded by builders on a site.

Judge Nicola Andrews referred the case to the Probation Service for a community service report and whatever else it thought appropriate given the nature of the offence.

She warned Mr Geraghty that if he did not engage he would get a custodial sentence.

He was remanded on continuing bail to February 16.