Posted by 
A software developer labelled “creepy” in court has been convicted of sexually assaulting a woman by groping her on a bus ride to Dublin but has avoided immediate imprisonment, reports The Mirror.
Kishor Karunakaran, 44, an Amazon employee residing at Fairfield Court, Herbert Road, Dublin 4, rejected the accusation, maintaining he was asleep for the full duration of the Citylink coach journey on September 13, 2024, after travelling to Galway for a fish stew meal, reports The Mirror.
He did acknowledge fabricating a claim that he had attended a work-related party that day.
The Dublin District Court heard evidence from the complainant that she felt touches once or twice from behind between the seats, followed by contact on her side at the level where her bra begins.
Judge John Hughes delivered a guilty verdict and referred to a probation report that assessed Karunakaran as presenting a low risk of future offending, reports The Mirror.
Having considered the contents of the victim’s impact statement, the judge imposed a three-month custodial sentence, suspended for a period of two years.
In addition, Karunakaran was required to pay €2,000 in compensation to the victim and to participate in a specialised course for individuals convicted of sexual assault offences, reports The Mirror.
His defence solicitor, Stephen O’Mahony, stated that Karunakaran intends to lodge an appeal against the conviction and continues to assert his innocence.
Addressing the victim impact statement, Mr O’Mahony noted: “I have explained that to my client; he has respect for that person,” reports The Mirror.
During her evidence, the woman recounted first sensing contact on her side, initially mistaking it for something that might have fallen from her pocket. She later observed a hand wearing a smartwatch emerging between the seats and retreating, leading her to wonder if the person had dropped an item, reports The Mirror.
She then stood up deliberately to alert the man behind her to her presence.
She described him as wearing sunglasses and appearing “creepy”, reports The Mirror.
On the third occasion, she felt the contact on her left side near her waist, with fingertips making contact with her hand.
She moved to a different seat and took a photograph of the accused, who appeared to be partially shielding his face with his hand, which she believed was an effort to avoid being captured clearly, reports The Mirror.
Defence counsel suggested to the witness that the accused had remained asleep throughout the trip and “did not lay a hand on you”, reports The Mirror.
The court was informed that the woman contacted her mother and boyfriend via message, and they urged her to notify the bus driver.
She explained that she chose not to alert anyone else aboard because she felt frightened and did not wish to cause delays for other passengers continuing to the airport. Her boyfriend rang Store Street Garda station on her behalf, reports The Mirror.
Garda Andrew Seaman, having been sent the photograph, waited at a Dublin city-centre stop and intercepted Karunakaran upon arrival.
In his initial statement, the accused said he had finished work around lunchtime to attend a work party in Galway.
He later revised his account during interview, admitting the trip was simply to enjoy a meal at a favourite restaurant known for its mussels and fish stew, reports The Mirror.
When Garda Seaman suggested the real motive was to travel to Galway in order to grope women, Karunakaran denied it and reiterated that the purpose was dining.
The bus driver stated to gardaí that he had not witnessed any suspicious behaviour, reports The Mirror.
Giving evidence, the accused confirmed he made the solo trip to Galway and returned the same evening on a Friday following a demanding week at work completing a project.
He confessed to misleading his family by telling them he was going to a work social event or party.
As a father of one, he mentioned suffering from a heart condition and taking medication that causes drowsiness, while also trying to manage stress levels. The garda remarked that departing work for several hours in Galway seemed unusual, reports The Mirror.
Who Watches the Watchers? 