PONTOON, CO MAYO - A naked man in his late 60s was observed watching families through binoculars while touching himself at a popular bathing spot in Mayo during last week's heatwave, according to a complaint received by gardaí.
The incident occurred just outside the lakeside village of Pontoon on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, near a beach popular with locals and visitors.
The Incident
A man in his late 60s was allegedly spotted touching himself while standing behind bushes, watching a family with young children on the beach through binoculars. When approached by two concerned individuals, he returned to his vehicle and drove off with such haste that he left the boot open.
Witness Account
The woman who reported the incident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said she was "absolutely horrified":
"It's a beautiful location and it was buzzing with young families during the height of the fine weather last week. We were so shocked and angry to encounter such disgusting behaviour, and it ruined our day out."
“We spotted him from a distance at first and thought it was strange that he was peering out from behind some bushes with binoculars. It was only when we moved closer that we realised that he was buck naked and going at himself."
She acknowledged the difficulty of prosecution without catching him in the act but felt compelled to report it: "Who knows what else he might do if he's this brazen."
Garda Response
Gardaí at Ballina Garda Station received the report and the vehicle's registration number. They undertook to patrol the area over the following days. However, a Garda spokeswoman confirmed that no criminal offence was found to have taken place due to insufficient evidence.
Location
Pontoon, near Foxford in north Mayo, boasts popular bathing areas and picturesque sandy beaches on the shore of Lough Cullin, attracting large numbers of locals and visitors, particularly during hot weather.