Man charged with being drunk and disorderly on a Ryanair flight

Olivia Kelleher

A man in his 30s has appeared in court charged with being drunk and disorderly on a Ryanair flight from Portugal to Dublin, which had to be diverted to Cork Airport.

Neil Hughes of Willow Park Grove, Glasnevin in Dublin, appeared before Cork District Court on Tuesday.

The network technician is charged that on December 15th, he was intoxicated to such an extent that he might endanger himself and others on board.

He is also charged with engaging in behaviour likely to cause serious offence or annoyance to people on board the aircraft.

Sgt John Dineen said that at 12.45 pm on December 15th gardaí received a report from Cork Airport Police about a disruptive passenger who was on board a flight from Faro in Portugal to Dublin.

Airport police requested garda assistance with the inbound flight, which was diverted to Cork Airport. The flight had taken off at 10.15am local time in Faro.

Sgt Dineen said that there were 181 passengers and five members of crew on board the plane. Gardaí accompanied by airport police, boarded the plane and located the passenger.

It is alleged that the passenger was lying across a row of seats. He was in a highly intoxicated state.

Sgt Dineen said that the crew had been able to control the passenger for a period of time.

However, it is alleged that his behaviour became increasingly aggressive and a decision was made to divert the plane to Cork.

The passenger resisted arrest and had to be handcuffed before he was taken from the plane.

Garda Fearghal Bolger told Judge Mary Dorgan that there was no objection to bail in the case once bail conditions were adhered to by the accused.

Mr Hughes is required to sign on at his local garda station, be of sober habits and refrain from boarding Ryan Air flights.

Judge Dorgan said that it was a serious case. She decided that further bail conditions were required, including that Mr Hughes be put on his own bond of €1500, €500 of which must be lodged in court.

He must also surrender his passport.

She also increased the number of sign-on times in the case from one to three. She remanded Mr Hughes on bail to appear before the court on December 22nd next.