A man caught performing a solo sex act in the public toilets of Dublin city centre shop has been fined for his indiscretion.
29-year-old Andre Dantes was arrested by an undercover garda in the male toilets at Marks & Spencer on Mary Street on June 14th last.
Judge Bryan Smyth issued a fine of €400 at Dublin District Court. Dantes of Mountjoy Street in Phibsborough, pleaded guilty to engaging in an act of public masturbation, under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act.
The court heard Dantes had no previous convictions. Dantes had been in the toilet when he mistakenly believed that someone else had flirted with him, his solicitor said.
Judge Smyth said it was a serious matter and anybody could have gone into the toilets.
“There could have been children going in,” he said.
He then added that he thought a conviction should be recorded. The judge gave the accused four months to pay the fine.
Marks & Spencer had received reports that this had been going on for a number of months.
