Two British doctors who went streaking on a stag night in Cork and went home rather than face an indecency charge in court, have been told to pay £150 each into the court poor-box.
The doctors, one of whom is to be married today, have been reprimanded by their hospital superiors, their solicitor, Mr Pat McCarthy, told Cork District Court.
Daniel Blackman, a cardiologist, of Glebe Cottage, Bell Lane, Cassington, and Graham Ingram, a psychiatrist, of Low Road, Beeston, Nottingham - both of whom are due to sit examinations to be consultants - were in Cork on Blackman's stag weekend when they walked about naked in the city centre just after midnight on July 31st.
Garda Leslie Rice and Garda Tom Rice were on a midnight patrol in the city centre when they came upon the two nude doctors, an earlier court sitting was told. "He (Ingram) was walking down the middle of Washington Street - he was as totally naked as the day he was born," Garda Rice said. Garda Gallagher said Blackman was "standing in the middle of the Washington Street-Grand Parade junction - totally naked". "The case received a lot of media publicity and they've been reprimanded by their superiors in Nottingham Hospital," Mr McCarthy said. Mr McCarthy handed in letters of apology from both and said that no offence had been intended by their actions.
Judge O'Connor agreed to strike out bench warrants which had been issued when they failed to show up for an earlier court appearance after being released on station bail of £40.
"They rather naively misunderstood their obligations and simply thought they would forfeit their bail," said Mr McCarthy, adding they were willing do turn up if required. They were both pleading guilty to being drunk and a danger to themselves and to offending public modesty, he added. Judge O'Connor said that if they both put £150 before the court, he would decide what attitude to take. He adjourned the matter until August 30th.
Three other English visitors to Cork for stag parties that weekend were arrested for being nude in public in Cork. Mr Liam Smith (25), of Chomley Road, Reading, Mr Nick Skelton (25), of Landells Road, East Dulwich, and Mr Daniel Kemp (25), of Turnstal Road, Canterbury, were also arrested.
They, too, were released on bail of £40 each and returned to England without turning up for court. Bench warrants still remain for their arrest.