The fiancee of Ireland's Most Romantic Man who admitted performing lewd acts in front of young women, is to stand by her man.

Aidan Clifford (29), of Milltown, Co Kerry, pleaded guilty to following young women around Galway city in his car and performing the indecent acts in their view.

Clifford and his fiancee, Ellen Spence (30), were last month adjudged to be Ireland's Most Romantic Couple after they won a magazine competition. They scooped the first prize of a €46,000 dream wedding.

They beat couples all over the country to capture the prize which includes a gala wedding reception in Parknasilla, a designer wedding dress and a luxury honeymoon.

The Irish Wedding Journal, which organised the competition, has declined to comment, other than to say that it had organised the competition in good faith.

When he appeared before Galway District Court in May last year, Clifford admitted three offences. The court heard he had a job in Clare and travelled to Galway on his days off to commit the offences.

Complaint

The court was told that a young woman phoned the Gardai on July 26, 2007 complaining that she had been followed by a man in a car. He had pulled up alongside and performed a sex act in her view.

The woman provided a description of the car and driver and, when approached in Galway a short time later, Clifford admitted the offence.

In a statement he admitted doing this on previous occasions. Gardai then made contact with two other women who made complaints in respect of similar incidents.

The court heard that Clifford's behaviour had stemmed from boyhood problems that had not been addressed.

A favourable psychologist's report was handed into court.

The case was adjourned to yesterday's sitting of the court for the preparation of an up-to-date psychologist's report and to hear from the Gardai if he had come to their attention in the interim.

Judge Mary Fahy was told that Aidan Clifford had not come to Garda notice over the last 12 months and his solictor stated that he intended to continue with therapy.

Warning that any recurrence of the offences would be "very, very serious", Judge Fahy applied the Probation Act.

hnews@herald.ie

- Brian McDonald