Balla man who habitually exposes himself faces jail

A 63-year-old man has been described as a ‘nuisance to society’ after exposing himself in public for many decades.
Patrick Forkan of Carrowgarve, Balla, appeared before Castlebar District Court on four public order charges that occurred between November 2014 and May 2016.
A previous court sitting had heard that Mr Forkan, a single man, would fondle his genitals in front of unsuspecting women in public in various locations around the village of Balla, including a golf club and a filling station.
The first incident took place on October 6, 2014, in Balla Post Office, when Mr Forkan exposed his penis to a woman while laughing and looking directly at her.
The second incident occurred on June 27, 2015, when Mr Forkan was at the side of the road beside Balla Golf Club and exposed himself to people playing golf. The incident was reported to the gardaí but Mr Forkan said it was not him.
The next incident occurred on August 20, 2015, when Mr Forkan stood in front of a car at Roche’s Service Station in Balla, holding his penis in his hand. The court heard that he tried to get into the car with the woman, but she managed to close the door. She shouted to a person in the service station, who recognised Mr Forkan, who cycled away on his bike. When questioned by gardaí, Mr Forkan denied the allegation.
The final incident occurred on May 25, 2016, at 9.30am when Mr Forkan was observed at Station Road, Balla, holding his exposed penis in his hand.
Speaking to the court, Mr Forkan’s solicitor Cathy McDarby said a custodial sentence would ‘kill him’ and that Mr Forkan needed psychological help to address his issues.
Judge Mary Devins asked the court if Mr Forkan had exposed himself to underage females and she was told he had not.
Judge Devins said his behaviour had to be stopped. She also commended Mr Forkan’s neighbours for attending court with him on each occasion.
The judge told the court that a custodial sentence of ‘nearly a year’ was open to the court due to the amount of charges against Forkan. However, she put the matter back to allow for further engagement with the Probation Service and an updated Probation Report for May 16.