Man tried to expose himself to therapist during massage treatment in Kildare

A lorry driver who attempted to expose himself  to a massage therapist who was treating him, was prosecuted for harassment at Naas District Court.

The man, aged in his 50s and from the south east of Ireland undertook the treatment in the Kildare area and was charged with the offence on a date unknown between 6 and 13 May, 2023.

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She said he tried to take off a towel that was covering him and she told him to keep himself covered and he tried to take it off twice.

She said the man indicated he needed hamstring and glute treatment because of issues caused by his occupation as a driver.

The woman said he sought to have a second massage on the same day which was not usual.

The court heard that after the initial treatment the woman, a qualified therapist, received a message on Facebook "to be friends with him.”

When he made a second visit he asked why she had not replied and she said this was because the Facebook account he used was only for her family and friends.

She said he arrived 30 minutes early for the second message and when this got underway he kept directing her to his private area. She said the area he wanted treated was close to his private area.

The woman also said he made a lot of “personal queries” like where she lived and how she got to work and she felt uncomfortable.

He asked her if she had children.

“It was the first time I had to deal with a situation like this. I was by myself and I was afraid.” She also said she was afraid of his possible reaction if she asked him to leave, She said some of the messages concluded with the letter x written more than once and at this time she was not aware that this indicated a kiss.

She said she replied to some messages because she was afraid and he knew where she worked. On one occasion he texted her seeking a massage and he didn't reply because she was busy and she had three missed calls.

On one occasion he grabbed her hand and apologised and she blocked his number.

When he showed up without an appointment she told him that a client was a neighbour of hers because she was concerned.

Solicitor Brian Larkin said some of the texts sent by the defendant were responded to and he disputed that the defendant was guilty of harassment. He described the defendant as a mild mannered individual with no previous convictions who regrets the incident and wants to put it behind him.

Judge Dedsmond Zaidan commented that the interactions by the defendant were personal in nature while the injured party’s were always professional.

He imposed a fine of €1,500.