Ireland Ennis man pleads guilty to sending lewd images to counsellor and public masturbation offences
Ennis man Shane McCarthy pleaded guilty at Ennis District Court to sending four lewd images of himself to his addiction counsellor on 5 May 2025, to masturbating in a public place at Silvergrove, Ballybeg, Ennis, on 31 August 2025, and to possessing cocaine at Ennis Garda Station on the same day. He is also charged with masturbating in a public place at Ballyalla Lake on 18 December 2025. The defence said a serious cocaine addiction caused the behaviour, and a psychologist's report is available to the court. The judge remanded him on continuing bail to reappear on 6 May 2026, with gardaí having agreed to change his bail so he can see his children on Saturdays, and he is due to enter a treatment centre on 2 June 2026 while the defence seeks to adjourn final sentencing until after the programme.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court27 Apr
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- Where
- The case was heard at Ennis District Court in County Clare.
- What happened
- Shane McCarthy pleaded guilty to sending four lewd images of himself to his addiction counsellor on 5 May 2025.
- Shane McCarthy pleaded guilty to masturbating in a public place at Silvergrove, Ballybeg, Ennis, on 31 August 2025.
- Shane McCarthy pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine at Ennis Garda Station on 31 August 2025.
- Charges
- Shane McCarthy is also charged with masturbating in a public place at Ballyalla Lake on 18 December 2025.
- Cause
- The defence said Shane McCarthy has a serious cocaine addiction that led him to act in unusual ways.
- Investigation
- A psychologist's report on Shane McCarthy is complete and available to the court.
- In court
- Gardaí agreed to change Shane McCarthy's bail so he can return home on Saturdays to see his children.
- The judge remanded Shane McCarthy on continuing bail to reappear on 6 May 2026.
- Shane McCarthy is due to enter a treatment centre on 2 June 2026.
- Sentence
- The defence will ask that final sentencing be adjourned until after the treatment programme.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe case was heard at Ennis District Court. (clareecho.ie)
- causeThe defence said the accused has a serious cocaine addiction. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationA psychologist's report on the accused is complete and available to the court. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to sending four lewd images of himself to his addiction counsellor on May 5 last year. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to masturbating in a public place at Silvergrove, Ballybeg, Ennis, on August 31 last year. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine at Ennis Garda Station on August 31 last year. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeHe is also charged with masturbating in a public place at Ballyalla Lake on December 18 last year. (clareecho.ie)
- courtThe accused is due to enter a treatment centre on June 2. (clareecho.ie)
- courtGardaí agreed to change his bail so he can return home on Saturdays to see his children. (clareecho.ie)
- courtThe judge remanded the accused on continuing bail to reappear on May 6. (clareecho.ie)
- sentenceThe defence will ask that final sentencing be adjourned until after the treatment programme. (clareecho.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Apr2026Cocaine addiction blamed for Ennis man sending lewd images to his counsellor - Clare Echo
Court report from Ennis District Court on guilty pleas, a further charge, the adjournment of sentencing and bail conditions. Defence cites cocaine addiction as the cause.
accused, Shane McCarthy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane McCarthy