Man exposed himself to girls at GAA club

A District Court judge has called on the GAA to explain its procedures for vetting people who have access to club dressingrooms…

A District Court judge has called on the GAA to explain its procedures for vetting people who have access to club dressingrooms.

Judge John Neilan made the call after imposing a five-month suspended sentence on a 52-year-old man who pleaded guilty to exposing himself to four girls at Daingean GAA Club, Co Offaly.

Tullamore District Court heard that in June 2004 the defendant, Michael Cleere, from Daingean, exposed himself to four girls between the ages of 12 and 14.

The man dropped his trousers after allowing one of the girls into the toilet at Daingean sports field.

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He also allowed one of the girls to take photographs of him with her mobile phone, which, the court heard, she later erased.

Garda Sgt Joe Egan said the offence occurred after a football match when Cleere was asked by one of the young girls if she could use the toilet.

Cleere had the keys and he let the girls in.

The offence occurred when they were coming back out.

Judge Neilan said he was amazed that Daingean GAA Club would let Cleere near their field, or hold the keys, and he said it would not be accepted by the court.