Five Englishmen, including two doctors, who walked naked on the streets of Cork, did not turn up in the city's District Court yesterday and bench warrants were issued for their arrest.
Gardai Leslie Rice and Tom Gallagher were on midnight patrol at Washington Street on Saturday when they came across Dr Graham Ingram and Dr Daniel Blackman, who were on a stag weekend. Dr Ingram (30) of Low Road, Beeston, Nottingham, was "walking down the middle of Washington Street . . . totally naked as the day he was born", Garda Rice told Judge Jim O'Connor.
Garda Gallagher said Dr Black man, of Glebe Cottage, Bell Lane, Cassington, "was standing in the middle of the Washington Strand/ Grand Parade junction totally naked". Both doctors were drunk but "Dr Ingram said he wanted to apologise to the Irish people for the embarrassment he caused and he meant no harm". Dr Blackman "apologised unreservedly to the people of Cork - he meant no offence - it was a stag night", the court was told.
At 2 a.m. on Sunday three more of the party, Mr Liam Smith (25) Mr Neil Skelton (25) and Mr Daniel Kemp (25) were seen on Caroline Street. The court was told all were in advanced states of inebriation and undress. Mr Skelton said his girlfriend was called Caroline so he decided to undress in Caroline Street. All three agreed with gardai, when arrested, charged and cautioned, that they were naked in a public place.
The five were released on their own bail of £40 to appear at Cork District Court yesterday morning but none showed up. Gardai said they thought all five had left the jurisdiction and returned to Britain. Judge O'Connor ordered bench warrants be issued.