A girl heading to school, targeted at a bus stop where she should have felt safe
In a Wicklow courtroom this September, a 33-year-old man faced the legal consequences of allegedly targeting a teenage girl at a public bus stop on her way to school — a place and a routine that should have carried no threat. The court granted bail, but wrapped it in conditions that acknowledge both the vulnerability of the victim and the complexity of the accused's circumstances. It is a moment that sits within the larger, unresolved question of how public spaces can be made safe for young people simply moving through their ordinary days.
- A 17-year-old girl was allegedly subjected to repeated sexual gestures by a grown man at her school bus stop across several weeks in spring 2025 — a pattern of targeting in a place she had no choice but to use.
- The case arrived in Bray District Court in September, with one charge struck out during proceedings, leaving a single harassment count under the Non-Fatal Offences Act 1997 to carry the weight of the allegations.
- A tension emerged between victim protection and the accused's medical needs, as his solicitor argued that a full ban from Newtownmountkennedy would obstruct ongoing health appointments in the town.
- The judge threaded the needle: bail was granted with no contact permitted and near-total exclusion from the town, save for medical visits — a €300 personal bond binding the accused to his obligations.
- The case returns to Bray District Court on October 20, 2025, leaving the conditions in force and the girl able to move through her town, for now, without fear of encountering him.
Stephen Kenny, a 33-year-old from Annagolan in County Wicklow, appeared before Bray District Court in September 2025 charged with harassing a teenage girl in the small town of Newtownmountkennedy. The allegations described a pattern that began in late March: on at least two occasions, Kenny allegedly approached a 17-year-old at a bus stop on Main Street while she waited to travel to school, making sexual hand gestures toward her. Further harassment was alleged to have continued into May at the same location.
Kenny faced two charges — threatening and abusive behaviour in a public place, and harassment under Section 10(1) of the Non-Fatal Offences Act 1997. During the hearing, the threatening behaviour charge was struck out, leaving the harassment count to proceed.
His solicitor raised a practical complication: Kenny had ongoing medical needs requiring appointments in Newtownmountkennedy, potentially for months ahead. Judge David Kennedy acknowledged this while still prioritising the victim's safety, finding a measured middle ground.
Bail was granted with firm conditions attached. Kenny was prohibited from any contact with the girl, directly or indirectly, and barred from entering Newtownmountkennedy — with the sole exception of attending medical appointments. He was remanded on a personal bond of €300. The matter will return to court on October 20, 2025. Until then, the conditions stand, and the girl who was harassed at her bus stop can at least move through her town knowing he cannot legally be there.
Stephen Kenny walked into Bray District Court on a day in September, facing charges that would keep him tethered to strict conditions for months to come. The 33-year-old from Annagolan, in County Wicklow, stood accused of harassment and abusive behaviour toward a teenage girl—allegations that had unfolded across the spring of 2025 in the small town of Newtownmountkennedy.
The incidents began in late March. On March 26, and again on April 30, Kenny allegedly approached a 17-year-old girl at a bus stop on Main Street while she was waiting to go to school. According to the court, he made sexual hand gestures toward her. The behaviour continued: between April 1 and May 2, further harassment was alleged to have occurred at the same location. A girl in her final school years, heading to class, was being targeted in a public place where she should have felt safe.
Kenny was charged under two counts: threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in a public place, and harassment under Section 10(1) of the Non-Fatal Offences Act 1997. During the hearing, one of those charges—the threatening behaviour count—was struck out by the court. The harassment charge remained.
His solicitor presented a practical argument to Judge David Kennedy: Kenny had medical complications that required him to attend appointments in Newtownmountkennedy, and those appointments could stretch on for months. The implication was clear—a blanket ban from the town would interfere with his health care. The judge listened and found a middle path.
Bail was granted, but not without teeth. Kenny was ordered to have no contact with the girl, either directly or indirectly. He was barred from entering Newtownmountkennedy entirely, with a single exception carved out: he could return only for his medical appointments. To secure his release, he was remanded on his own bond of €300—a personal recognisance that he would return to court as ordered.
The case is not finished. Kenny will return to Bray District Court on October 20, 2025, when the matter will proceed further. For now, the conditions hold him in place: confined geographically, forbidden from contact, bound by his own promise to appear. The girl, meanwhile, can move through her town knowing that at least for the next month, the man who harassed her at the bus stop cannot be there.
Citas Notables
Kenny's solicitor argued his client has health complications requiring ongoing medical appointments in Newtownmountkennedy that could continue for months.— Kenny's solicitor, Bray District Court
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Why was one charge struck out and not the other?
The court documents don't explain the reasoning, but it happens sometimes—prosecutors or judges determine that one charge is redundant or that the evidence is stronger on one count than another. The harassment charge remained, which is the more serious of the two.
The solicitor mentioned medical appointments. How much weight did that actually carry?
Enough to prevent a total ban from the town. The judge could have ordered Kenny to arrange his medical care elsewhere or to attend appointments with a guard present, but instead allowed him access for that specific purpose. It suggests the judge believed the health need was genuine.
What does "no contact, either directly or indirectly" actually mean in practice?
It means he can't call her, text her, show up at her home or school. But it also means he can't ask a friend to pass a message, can't follow her on social media, can't arrange for someone else to intimidate her. It's designed to be airtight.
A €300 bond seems low. Is that significant?
It's his own recognisance—his personal promise. If he breaks bail conditions, he forfeits that money and faces additional charges. It's not about the amount; it's about whether he shows up in court on October 20. The real leverage is that he'll be arrested if he doesn't.
What happens on October 20?
The case moves forward. There could be a trial, a plea, or further adjournments. Right now, this is just the bail hearing. The actual resolution of the harassment charge is still months away.