Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 17810Sexual exposure and masturbation in a public place · Co. Wicklow · 14 Nov 2021

Man given suspended 18-month sentence for exposing himself in Bray

On 14 November 2021, at around 1.45am near a hotel on the Bray seafront on Strand Road, Co Wicklow, Barry Jones, 49, of Ballylug, Rathdrum, exposed his genitals and masturbated in public after three young women alerted gardaí. Gardaí said he continued after they shouted that they were gardaí, and he was arrested and made a voluntary cautioned statement in which he claimed he was intoxicated and could not remember the incident. Jones pleaded guilty at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court to exposure of a sexual nature with intent to cause fear, distress or alarm and to masturbation in a public place, and he had previously been sentenced to six months by Bray District Court for exposure offences in Roundwood. On 22 March 2024 he received an 18-month sentence, suspended in full, on condition that he pay 1,000 euro to each of four victims and stay free from drugs and alcohol.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced22 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Barry Jones, 49, of Ballylug, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, exposed his genitals and masturbated in public.
Where
The incident happened on Strand Road near a hotel on the seafront in Bray, Co Wicklow.
When
The offences took place on 14 November 2021, with gardaí alerted at around 1.45am.
Cause
According to his barrister, alcohol was a factor in the various incidents.
Investigation
  • Three young women in their early 20s alerted gardaí to the incident.
  • Gardaí said Jones continued his act after they shouted that they were gardaí.
  • Jones was arrested and later made a voluntary cautioned statement in which he claimed he was intoxicated and could not remember the incident.
Charges
  • Jones pleaded guilty to exposure of a sexual nature at Strand Road, Bray, with intent to cause fear, distress or alarm.
  • He also pleaded guilty to engaging in masturbation in a public place at the same date and location, contrary to Section 45.2 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017.
In court
The case was heard at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court, where a victim said she still struggled with panic attacks and severe depression.
Other details
  • Jones had previously been sentenced to six months by Bray District Court for other exposure offences in Roundwood.
  • Jones was assessed as being at an average risk of reoffending.
Sentence
  • On 22 March 2024 Jones received an 18-month sentence, suspended in full.
  • The suspension is conditional on payments of 1,000 euro to each of four victims and on Jones staying free from drugs and alcohol.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe incident happened near a hotel on the seafront in Bray. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on 14 November 2021. (rte.ie)
  • causeAlcohol was a factor in the various incidents, according to his barrister. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were alerted by three young women. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said the accused continued his act after they shouted that they were gardaí. (rte.ie)
  • investigationJones was arrested and later made a voluntary cautioned statement. (rte.ie)
  • chargeBarry Jones pleaded guilty to exposure of a sexual nature on Strand Road, Bray. (rte.ie)
  • chargeHe also pleaded guilty to engaging in masturbation in a public place on the same date and at the same location. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was suspended in full. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe suspension was conditional on payments of 1,000 euro to each of four victims and staying free from drugs and alcohol. (rte.ie)
  • otherIn his statement Jones claimed he was intoxicated and could not remember the incident. (rte.ie)
  • otherA victim said she still struggled with panic attacks and severe depression. (rte.ie)
  • otherJones had previously been sentenced to six months by Bray District Court for other exposure offences in Roundwood. (rte.ie)
  • otherJones was assessed as being at an average risk of reoffending. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Mar2024
    Sentencedrte.ie, first report
    Suspended sentence for man who exposed genitals in Bray

    Court report on the sentencing of Barry Jones for the Bray incident, which includes his guilty pleas, victim impact statements, and the suspended sentence with conditions. It also refers to earlier Roundwood convictions as background.

    convicted, Barry Jones, 49, male, namedBarry Jonesvictim, early 20s, femalevictim, early 20s, femalevictim, early 20s, female