'Most significant cocaine addict in Ennis' sent indecent images and videos to counsellor

A MAN described by a judge as “the most significant cocaine addict in the town of Ennis” is facing prosecution after he sent sexually explicit images of himself to his addiction councillor.

Shane McCarthy, aged 30, with an address in Shanballa, Lahinch Road, Ennis has admitted sending four lewd images of himself to his then addiction counsellor on May 5, 2025.

Mr McCarthy, who was described in court as “sexually disinhibited”, had previously harassed his probation officers in a similar unwanted sexually explicit manner.

At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett described the victim impact statement provided to the court by Mr McCarthy's former addiction counsellor as "significant" and "heart wrenching".

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Judge Gabbett told the court how the woman has had suffered a "serious derailment of her life" since she received the unsolicited pictures "in the middle of the night."  

Having heard the judge's comments, Mr McCarthy stated: “I am sorry for all of that.”

The judge described the defendant as "not short of brain cells" and while he accepts the 30-year-old is remorseful based on a letter he penned to the court and how he "has apologised to everyone" he said it is still a "serious charge".

Mr McCarthy also has two charges of public masturbation before the court arising from two incidents which occurred in Ennis in recent months. 

He has pleaded guilty to masturbating in a public place at Silvergrove, Ballybeg, Ennis on August 31, 2025 and the possession of cocaine on the same date at Ennis Garda Station.

The second incident before the court is a charge for masturbating in a public place on December 18 last at Ballyalla Lake on outskirts of Ennis.

Mr McCarthy told the court that he is "twenty days" sober, having not taken any illegal substances since the alleged incident on December 18, 2025.

Solicitor Darragh Hassett, representing Mr McCarthy noted that his client "probably has the most significant cocaine addiction in the town off Ennis" but "when he's off drugs, there doesn't seem to be an issue".

Judge Gabbett noted: “This is the first day you have been able to sit down”. This, he said was in contrast to previous court appearances during which the defendant had paced back and fourth in the body of the court.

The court was told Mr McCarthy's wife, who was present with him in court, has been "looking after him" with Judge Gabbett commenting: "If prizes were going for patience, she'd be getting it".

Judge Gabbett expressed concern about Mr McCarthy being granted bail while the court awaits reports from a forensic psychologist and the Probation Service. "How can the court know you are not going to offend again and destroy another lady’s life?”

He noted that Mr McCarthy had "re-offended twice on bail" and warned that a third violation would result in him going "straight into custody."

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Judge Gabbett said that, based on the evidence before him, including the victim impact statement from his former addiction counsellor, he was considering a headline sentence of nine months in prison.

However, he added that Mr McCarthy would be given the benefit of the report from the forensic psychologist before sentencing, explaining, “I don’t know if he is sexually disinhibited by the cocaine or if he is just sexually disinhibited,” and describing it as something that “almost becomes a disability.”

Judge Gabbett also stated that "every effort has to be made to get into treatment."

Mr Hassett told the court that he has been in contact with a male forensic psychologist on behalf of Mr McCarthy, who is due to be assessed by a treatment centre later this month to address his cocaine addiction.

Mr McCarthy was remanded on bail and is due back in court later this month.