Wednesday 28 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. 6258Engaging in sexual activity in front of a child · Co. Dublin · 6 May 2023

Man pleads guilty to sexual activity in front of children in north Dublin

On 6 May 2023, Mark Dolan (49), a man, masturbated and exposed himself in front of four girls aged six to eight for over five minutes while they played in a cul-de-sac at an address in north Dublin. After the children's parents contacted gardaí, CCTV and footage from a nearby homeowner were obtained, and Dolan was arrested two days after the offence. He initially told gardaí he had an insect bite in his genital region, then pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity in front of a child at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the footage was played. The judge adjourned the matter until Friday for finalisation, and no sentence has been reported yet.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted20 Mar
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Mark Dolan (49) masturbated and exposed himself in front of four girls for over five minutes.
Where
The offence happened at an address in north Dublin, in a cul-de-sac where the girls lived.
When
The offence happened on 6 May 2023.
Other details
  • The case record lists the victim as a woman, while the court report describes four girls aged six to eight.
  • Dolan has no previous convictions.
  • Dolan spent nine days in custody.
Investigation
  • CCTV captured Dolan parking his car beside a school before walking past the group of girls.
  • The parents of all four children contacted gardaí, who obtained footage from a nearby homeowner.
  • Dolan was arrested two days after the offence.
  • Dolan initially denied the offence and told gardaí he had an insect bite in his genital region.
Charges
Dolan pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity in front of a child.
In court
  • Footage of the entire incident was played at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, and victim impact statements were heard.
  • Judge Nolan adjourned the matter until Friday for finalisation.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man masturbated in front of four children. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatDolan exposed himself to four girls for over five minutes while they were playing in a cul-de-sac. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe offence happened at an address in north Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offence happened on 6 May 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationCCTV captured Dolan parking his car beside a school. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationParents of all four children contacted the guards, who obtained footage from a nearby homeowner. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDolan was arrested two days after the offence. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDolan initially told gardaí he had an insect bite. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeDolan pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity in front of a child. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtFootage of the offence was played at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Nolan adjourned the matter until Friday for finalisation. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDolan has no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDolan spent nine days in custody. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Mar2024
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man who masturbated in front of children told gardaí he had insect bite in groin

    Court report on Mark Dolan's guilty plea, with details of the CCTV evidence, the victim impact statements, and the adjournment to Friday for finalisation. Sentencing is not yet reported.

    convicted, Mark Dolan, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark Dolanvictim, female