Ireland's ‘most romantic man’ performed obscene acts in front of women

A North Clare resident who admitted to masturbating while following young women around Galway City may be stripped of his crown as Ireland’s Most Romantic Man.

Northern Ireland-based publication, The Irish Wedding Journal, awarded Aidan Clifford and his partner Ellen Spence the title of Ireland’s Most Romantic Couple following a nationwide competition last week.

It is now understood that the magazine may seek to strip the couple of their title, along with the €46,000 first prize, because of revelations over Clifford’s previous conduct. Clifford was convicted of committing two acts which were offensive to public morals and decency by Galway District Court last year.


Photo from here.

He admitted to following women around Galway City in his car while masturbating, on his days off from his Ballyvaughan job. Sentencing in the case was delayed for one year by Judge Mary Fahy and is due to take place in Galway next Monday.

Originally from Kerry, Clifford has been living and working in the Burren area for a number of years. The couple currently live in Kinvara, where Ms Spence has recently launched a new business, while Mr Clifford currently works in Ballyvaughan.

A number of Ballyvaughan residents contacted The Irish Wedding Journal last week, demanding that Mr Clifford be stripped of the prize. The couple beat off stiff competition from dozens of other entries from the whole island of Ireland to win the prize. The couple met on a skiing trip in Italy in January of 2007.