Man accused of drunken behaviour on flight that had to be diverted to Cork

A Dubliner facing charges of being drunk and offensive on a Ryanair flight from Portugal to Dublin, which had to be diverted to Cork, appeared at Cork District Court yesterday.

Neil Hughes, aged 35, of 71 Willow Park Grove, Glasnevin, Dublin, was arrested and charged with two counts under air navigation legislation.

The first charge states that on Monday, December 15, being a person on board an aircraft in flight, namely Ryanair flight FR7031, that was within the jurisdiction of the State, he was intoxicated to such an extent as would give rise to a reasonable apprehension that he might endanger himself or other persons on board the said aircraft, contrary to the Air Navigation and Transport Act.

The second count states that he did, without justification, engage in behaviour to cause serious offence or annoyance on board the aircraft, having been requested by a member of the crew to desist.

Garda Fearghal Bolger said there was no objection to bail on condition that Mr Hughes would sign on once a week at his local Garda station, be of sober habits, and not fly with Ryanair.

Judge Mary Dorgan said the matter was serious and required further bail conditions, including Mr Hughes’ own bond of €1,500, of which €500 must be lodged, and that he surrender his passport and sign on three times a week at Ballymun Garda Station. He was remanded in custody with consent to bail until December 22. Sergeant John Dineen said DPP directions were awaited in the case.

Sgt Dineen said at Cork District Court that at 12.45pm on December 15, gardaí from Togher responded to reports from Cork Airport Police who requested Garda assistance with this inbound flight diverted to Cork.

It was alleged that a passenger was observed lying across row 27 and was highly intoxicated. The flight had departed Faro for Dublin with Captain Bryan Quinn and five cabin crew on board. It was alleged that cabin crew were able to contain the passenger whose behaviour became increasingly aggressive, and the decision was made to divert to Cork Airport.

Sgt Dineen also said that the passenger resisted gardaí who boarded the plane, and he had to be handcuffed before being removed.