Ireland Ex-Garda jailed for four months over indecent exposure in Gort
On 15 June 2025 Francis Hannon, a 69-year-old former Garda of Ballinasloe, Co Galway, was observed fully naked in an upstairs bedroom at a neighbouring property in Gort, south Galway, and the complainant is a woman. Hannon pleaded guilty at Gort District Court to exposing his genitals intending to cause fear, distress or alarm, contrary to s.45(1) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017. Judge Adrian Harris jailed him for four months on 28 May 2026, and the court heard he is in custody for the same offence and faces a similar case in another Galway court. The complainant said she was sickened by the sentence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced28 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Hannon was observed fully naked in an upstairs bedroom of accommodation for the homeless at a neighbouring property.
- Reports describe the act as masturbating in clear view of women, with one account saying three women and the key facts saying a woman.
- Where
- The offence took place at an address in Gort, south Galway.
- When
- The incident happened on 15 June 2025.
- Investigation
- The complainant said there was video evidence of the incident.
- Other details
- The complainant said the exposure lasted 45 minutes.
- The defence said Hannon was depressed at the time following his divorce and apologises to the injured party.
- The complainant said she was sickened by the four-month sentence.
- Charges
- Hannon pleaded guilty to exposing his genitals intending to cause fear, distress or alarm to a woman, contrary to s.45(1) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017.
- In court
- Judge Adrian Harris said being a former Garda was an aggravating factor.
- Hannon has 44 previous convictions, including one for sexual assault in 1997 and one for harassment.
- Hannon is in custody for the same offence and faces a similar case in another court in Galway.
- Sentence
- Gort District Court jailed Hannon for four months on 28 May 2026.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man was observed fully naked in an upstairs bedroom of accommodation for the homeless at a neighbouring property. (rte.ie)
- whereThe offence took place in Gort, south Galway. (rte.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 15 June 2025. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe complainant said there was video evidence of the incident. (rte.ie)
- chargeHannon pleaded guilty to exposing his genitals intending to cause fear, distress or alarm to a woman. (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge said that being a former Garda was an aggravating factor. (rte.ie)
- courtHannon has 44 previous convictions, including one for sexual assault in 1997 and one for harassment. (rte.ie)
- courtHannon is in custody for the same offence and faces a similar case in another court in Galway. (rte.ie)
- sentenceHannon was jailed for four months. (rte.ie)
- otherThe defence said Hannon was depressed at the time following his divorce. (rte.ie)
- otherThe defence said Hannon apologises to the injured party. (rte.ie)
- otherThe complainant said the exposure lasted 45 minutes. (rte.ie)
- otherThe complainant said she was sickened by the four-month sentence. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 28 May2026Ex-Garda jailed for four months over sex act incident
Reports the four-month sentence at Gort District Court for an incident on 15 June 2025, and details the victim impact statement and the defendant's previous convictions.
convicted, Francis Hannon, 69, male, named, irish (judged from name)Francis Hannonvictim, female