Latest news with #AirNavigationandTransportAct
Sunday World
13-06-2025
- Sunday World
Football fans accused of offensive behaviour on Ryanair plane have charges struck out
Judge Susan Fay struck the case out at Dublin District Court after the prosecution failed to disclose a statement to the defence in a "genuine oversight." FOUR football fans who denied offensive behaviour on a Ryanair plane in Dublin Airport have had all charges struck out after their trial collapsed. The four had been accused of disruptive conduct that began after passengers allegedly tried to use the toilet before a flight departed for London. Judge Susan Fay struck the case out at Dublin District Court after the prosecution failed to disclose a statement to the defence in a "genuine oversight." Marco Bajzec (41) of Beechwood Park, Ballyboe, Glencar, Co Donegal and Zvonimir Prkacin (40), Luis Buic (38) and Tomislav Zajec (39), from Confey, Leixlip, Co KIldare all walked free from court today. They had pleaded not guilty to offensive behaviour on board an aircraft, under the Air Navigation and Transport Act, on January 22 this year. Luis Buic When the non-jury trial got underway, a cabin crew member gave evidence that before departure, a passenger stood up and tried to use the toilets but was advised it was not possible 'because we were ready to take off.' The crew called the captain and the passenger was allowed to use the toilet, but then his friends also wanted to do so, the witness continued. 'One of them said 'if you don't let me go to the toilet, I can urinate at the back' which is our workspace,' he said. Tomislav Zajec It was decided that it was not possible to take off at that time because the passengers would not comply with the safety regulations and the passengers were offloaded from the aircraft. The crew member said he could not recall who threatened to urinate in the back galley. The hearing was halted when it emerged that the witness' statement had not been disclosed to the defence. Zvonimir Prkacin The prosecution asked the judge to adjourn the case but the defence objected. A lawyer said the defendants had been put on Ryanair's no-fly list and their ability to travel was affected. The defence asked the judge to dismiss the case. Judge Fay said she would not dismiss the charges but instead struck them out due to non-compliance with the disclosure order. She said she did not believe it was intentional but was a 'genuine oversight' by the prosecution. Previously, the court was told the four were arrested at Terminal 1 before the plane's departure and taken to nearby garda stations. They had been flying to London for an Arsenal - Dinamo Zagreb match on the day. Marco Bajzec Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 13 2025
Sunday World
13-06-2025
- Sunday World
Insurance man spared jail after triggering smoke alarm on Ryanair flight to Dublin
Garda Sandip Shrestha said he charged the accused with offensive behaviour on the fight and setting off the smoke alarm, and the accused replied, 'You are chatting s**t' An insurance broker who triggered a smoke alarm on a London Stansted – Dublin flight after aggressively ignoring cabin crew just before take-off has been spared jail and a criminal record. Father of two, William Horn, 29, of Stone Rings Lane, Harrowgate, England, pleaded guilty on June 2 to charges under the Air Navigation and Transport Act following his arrest the previous day at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport. Judge John Brennan had said that if Horn donated €500 to a Dublin charity which has assisted people affected by homelessness and addiction, he would be spared a criminal record. The judge warned that failure to pay would result in recorded convictions and fines totalling €800. William Horn. Photo: Tom Tuite Horn was released on €300 bail and excused from attending when the case resumed today. Judge John King noted his colleague's order and was shown a receipt of payment by defence solicitor Edward Bradbury. He applied the Probation of Offenders Act. Earlier, airport-based Garda Sandip Shrestha said he charged the accused with offensive behaviour on the Ryanair flight and setting off the smoke alarm, and the accused replied, 'You are chatting s**t'. Judge John Brennan heard that Horn came to Ireland for a birthday party which he missed by being held for the night in Garda custody before his court hearing. William Horn. Photo: Tom Tuite Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 13 2025 Garda Shreshta said on June 1, he received a call from cabin crew about 'a disruptive passenger' on the flight. Garda Shreshta learned that Horn was in the toilet, and 'a plume of smoke set off the smoke alarm inside the plane'. The captain also confirmed to the garda that the alarm was also activated in the cockpit. Judge Brennan heard that it started in Stansted when the aircraft was taxiing to the runway. The seatbelts signs were activated but Horn 'ignored the cabin crew's instructions and went to the toilet, and walked by the cabin crew in an aggressive manner'. Defence solicitor Edward Bradbury told the court his client, who remained silent during the hearing, was pleading guilty and from his perspective, it had been 'somewhat an ordeal and in his own mind a misunderstanding'. The garda agreed with Mr Bradbury that the aircraft was about to take off when Horn decided to go to the toilet. The accused had no prior convictions in Ireland. Mr Bradbury said his client has been 'chastened' by this ordeal. The court heard there was no evidence of intoxication, and Horn insisted he was not smoking in the toilet. However, the solicitor acknowledged that, at the very least, the issue had a smattering of recklessness all over it. The solicitor said it happened when the aircraft was taxiing for take-off, which was aggravating circumstances for the flight attendants. Judge Brennan had said it happened in a confined environment where people were vulnerable, but on the scale of these offences, it ranked at the lower end.
Irish Post
05-06-2025
- Irish Post
Garda hospitalised after ‘vicious assault' by disruptive passenger on flight to Dublin
A GARDA was hospitalised after being assaulted by a disruptive passenger who arrived in Dublin on a flight from the US. On June 3, the captain and crew of a United Airlines flight from Newark reported a disruptive passenger on board. When the plane landed, Gardaí attached to the Dublin Airport Garda Station boarded the aircraft. One garda was 'viciously assaulted' as they attempted to remove the man from the plane, the police force confirmed in a statement. 'The man, aged in his 40's proceeded to viciously assault a member of An Garda Síochána,' Gardaí said. 'O.C spray was deployed in an attempt to stop the sustained assault of a Garda,' they added. The man fled the aircraft but was arrested a short time later. He has since been charged with assault and offences under the Air Navigation and Transport Act. He appeared before Dublin District Court on June 3. The Garda who was injured is being treated at Beaumont Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. See More: Disruptive Passenger, Dublin Airport, Garda
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Plane passenger arrested after officer attacked
A garda (Irish police) officer has been subjected to a "sustained" assault after boarding a US flight in Dublin to deal with a report of a disruptive passenger. Gardaí were called in on Tuesday morning by the crew of the United Airlines flight which was travelled from Newark to Dublin. The assault began when officers approached the passenger, a man in his 40s. Gardaí said they used pepper spray to stop the attack but the suspect fled the aircraft. A short time later they made an arrest. The man was charged with assault and offences under the Air Navigation and Transport Act. The injured garda officer was treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Belfast Telegraph
03-06-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Cop injured by passenger on plane in ‘vicious assault' at Dublin Airport
Gardai were called by the captain and crew of a United Airlines flight travelling from Newark to Dublin who reported a disruptive passenger on-board and requested assistance of gardaí. On arrival, gardaí attached to the Dublin Airport Garda Station boarded the aircraft 'and attempted to engage with the disruptive male passenger onboard'. 'The man, aged in his 40s proceeded to viciously assault a member of An Garda Síochána,' a spokesperson said. 'OC spray was deployed in an attempt to stop the sustained assault of a Garda. 'The man fled the aircraft and was arrested a short time later.' The man has since been charged with assault and offences under the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 2022. He remains in Garda custody and is due to appear before Dublin District Court at 4.30pm today. Gardai added that the officer who was injured during the incident is being treated at Beaumont Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
