A PENSIONER who sexually assaulted three women had his case adjourned at Dundalk District Court yesterday. In each case, he engaged them in conversation before fondling their breasts.
The court heard the 67-year-old was pleading guilty to three counts of sexual assault. The first took place at Clarke train station, Dundalk, on November 12th, 2006.
A 28-year-old woman was having trouble getting a ticket from a machine and the accused started a conversation with her. He then began fondling her breasts and she walked away. She sat on a bench and he sat beside her. He moved closer and, according to Insp Leo McGinn, repeatedly fondled her breasts, buttocks and thigh. He then tried to kiss her and she pulled away.
On June 8th last year, he was on the Enterprise train travelling from Dublin to Dundalk and he saw a 28-year-old woman on her own in a carriage. He sat down close to her and tried to made conversation, but she declined and turned her back towards him. He lent towards her and touched her breasts. He assaulted her twice on the journey, the court heard.
The third assault was on July 27th last at the bus station in Dundalk, where he sat beside a 27-year-old American woman who was on holiday in Dundalk. He complimented her and put his arm around her before fondling her breasts. She broke free from him.
His solicitor, Frank McDonnell, said a Health Service Executive psychiatric report diagnosed a disorder. He felt overfamiliar, "elated" and willing to help people, it said.Medication was now "stabilising him", the court heard.
Judge Flann Brennan said he wanted him to continue his psychiatric care. He adjourned the case until June but warned him if he got into trouble again, he would take an extremely serious view.