By Niamh O’Donoghue
A man who claimed to be a court translator has been jailed for six months for offering a woman €20 for sex.
Raymond Ariwi (40) of Talbot Street, Dublin, was convicted by a jury of engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature on Main Street, Dundrum on May 5, 2021. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Ariwi has 26 previous convictions.
Oisin Clarke BL, prosecuting, told the court Ariwi was convicted following a trial in January this year. He said the maximum penalty for the offence was two years’ imprisonment.
Garda Aidan Kealy gave evidence that the injured party was travelling on the Luas when Ariwi engaged with her in conversation. When she got off the Luas she went to the bank and heard a man behind her saying “do you know how beautiful you are?” and he offered her €20 for sex.
“I will pay you if you have sex with me,” Ariwi said. The woman said she felt very nervous and told Ariwi she had a boyfriend and asked him to leave.
Gardai arrested Ariwi and cautioned him and he said he never offered her any money saying “that is a serious allegation”.
His counsel Luigi Rea BL said his client was divorced and lived in Swords and hostel accommodation in the city centre.
He came to Ireland in 2001 from Kenya when he was 16 where he worked with missionaries. He said he spoke three languages and worked as a court translator.
In recent times, he is receiving Disability Allowance as he has problems with his immune system and has back pain after being hit by a car. The judge was told there were no medical reports but Ariwi told the court that he was treated in St. Vincent’s Hospital.
Counsel said he pleaded not guilty at trial and does not accept the verdict of the jury.
Judge Patricia Ryan noted Ariwi had separate previous convictions for conduct of a similar nature in relation to two prior incidents. She said it was an aggravating factor that Ariwi was on bail at the time of this offence.
She noted there was no medical report before the court and no evidence that he worked as a court translator. She jailed him for six months backdating it to January for time spent in custody.