Jail for man whomasturbated on bus

A 39-year-old man sat on a city bus shortly before midnight and masturbated but he explained to gardaí that his actions were caused by a medical condition.

A young woman sitting on the bus at College Road in Cork on the night of October 24, 2018, reported to gardaí that the incident had occurred.

Detective Garda Jim Bugler arrested Dusan Rakovan, aged 39, and charged him that on that date he did, in a public place, engage in an act of a sexual nature, namely masturbated on a Bus Éireann bus, contrary to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act.

He pleaded guilty to that charge at Cork District Court today.

Detective Garda Bugler said the accused man said when interviewed that, “He did not do it for anyone to view him. He said it was a medical problem.”

Judge Olann Kelleher jailed the accused for three months.

Defence solicitor, Daithí Ó Donnabháin, said on behalf of the Slovakian defendant there was an element of intoxication at the time.

“He asked me to convey his apology for his actions on the night. Recently when in custody he had to be taken to Galway University Hospital for treatment for psychosis.

“He has underlying mental health difficulties. He was homeless and his underlying circumstances appear to be not good,” the solicitor said.

The judge said the young woman who witnessed the incident had to be given the opportunity to make a victim impact statement if she wished.

Detective Garda Bugler said that the young woman did not wish to make such a statement.

He said she regarded herself as a witness to the incident and reported it to gardaí.

The detective said the defendant did not engage with this young woman or with anyone else on the bus that night when he behaved in the manner described.