Football supporters in court after disruption delayed Ryanair flight at Dublin Airport

Tom Tuite

Four Croatian football supporters have been charged over a disturbance which delayed the take-off of a Ryanair flight at Dublin Airport.

Marco Bajzec, 41, of Beechwood Park, Ballyboe, Glencar, Co. Donegal, and Zvonimir Prkacin, 40, Luis Buic, 38, and Tomislav Zajec, 39, who have the same address at Confey, Leixlip, Co. Kildare appeared at Dublin District Court on Wednesday.

The group had hoped to fly to London that morning to catch for the Dinamo Zagreb v Arsenal FC Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium that evening.

Instead, they were charged with offensive behaviour on the aircraft, taken to court, and kept until they were granted bail at around 2.30pm.

Garda Emmet O’Byrne and Conor O’Neill told Judge Treasa Kelly they arrested them at 9.15am at stand 107L in Terminal 1.

The four men were brought to the airport and Ballymun garda stations to be charged under the Air Navigation and Transport Act.

The judge heard that Mr Bajzec and Buic made no reply while Zvonimir Prkacin answered, “I feel sorry for the passengers on the flight and the staff; they were delayed because of us”.

Meanwhile, Mr Zajec told gardaí, “I have done nothing wrong”.

They did not address the court and have yet to enter pleas.

The judge noted there was no garda objection to bail set at €200 in each case.

The arresting officers asked the judge to impose a bail condition stating they must not transit through Dublin Airport unless sober.

However, the judge extended it to being of sober habits in public.

Defence solicitor Eoghan O’Sullivan confirmed his clients had intended to go to Wednesday's match in London.

He was granted an order for disclosure and told the judge he expected to be able to deal with the case when it resumes on February 5th.