Tipperary man exposed himself to young woman who was working alone in coffee shop

A man exposed himself to a young female worker in a coffee shop, Nenagh District Court was told.

Patrick Spain, 46, of Mountpleasant, Ballymackey, Nenagh, pleaded to the offence on August 28, 2020.

Garda Rachael Hehir told the court that Mr Spain entered the coffee shop and began asking the female staff member personal questions.

He had asked her what age she was, was she married and her name, the court was told.

Ms Spain had abused the staff member and asked to buy food but was told that only coffee was being served as it was during Covid-19 restrictions.

Garda Hehir said that Mr Spain had a newspaper in front of his crotch and removed it exposing his penis to the female worker.

The woman told him to step away and was in fear as she was alone in the shop at the time.

“Before he left, he told her his name was Patrick,” said Garda Hehir.

The garda said that the incident had lasted about five minutes and when CCTV was searched they went to Mr Spain’s home and asked him to make a voluntary caution statement.

Mr Spain identified himself on the CCTV but didn’t believe the female was offended.

Mr Spain’s barrister, Kenny Kerins, BL, said the woman had to be commended for her bravery in what had been a “frightening experience”.

“This should never of happened,” he said. “A young woman should never have to be confronted with like this when starting out in life.”

He said Mr Spain was offering an open apology in court to his victim.

Mr Kerins told the court that there was a “complexity” to Mr Spain’s background and asked the court to “stay its hand” for some time.

He pointed out that Mr Spain had made admissions and was not working.

However, Judge Elizabeth MacGrath said that she didn’t believe the victim’s personal statement had been exaggerated.

“I have to consider a custodial sentence,” she said.

Sgt Regina McCarthy pointed out that the case had been going on since 2020.

“It was very traumatic for the injured party,” she said.

Following further submissions by Mr Kerins, Judge MacGrath adjourned the case to July 14 for a psychiatric assessment on Mr Spain, along with a probation report and a proposed treatment plan.