*An Aer Lingus flight taking off from Shannon Airport. 

A JUDGE has asked Aer Lingus to provide the costs of having to return a transatlantic aircraft to Shannon due to the presence of an alleged unruly passenger on board.

At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett said that “the cost of the return is probably €70,000 or €80,000”.

He said, “They had to burn off fuel or they had to dump fuel to get back to Shannon – this is all serious stuff”.

He said, “I would like to know how much that is costing Aer Lingus.”

Judge Gabbett made his comment after Patrick Noone (57) of Curragh, Kilconnell, Ballinasloe, Co Galway appeared in connection to two charges arising from the E1 135 Shannon to Boston flight on November 11th 2023.

Solicitor for Mr Noone, John Casey said that his client is entering a guilty plea to the two charges.

In the case, passenger on board the E1 135 Shannon to Boston flight, Mr Noone is charged with engaging in behaviour of a threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour on the flight whether by word or gesture with intent to cause a breach of the peace or being reckless as to whether a breach of the peace might have been occasioned

The charge is contrary to Section 2A of the Air Navigation and Transport Act.

Mr Noone is also charged with being intoxicated on board the EI 135 flight on November 11th 2023 to such an extent as would give rise to a reasonable apprehension that you might endanger yourself or other persons on board the said aircraft This charge is contrary to section 2 (a) 1 and 2 (a) 4 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1973.

Mr Casey said that the charges were the equivalent of two public order charges “except that they were on a plane”.

Judge Gabbett said that the problem with the alleged offence taking place on a plane is that the plane has to return and the airport has to clear the runway.

He said, “The aircraft can’t land with all that fuel so they either dump it or they burn it. The airline is now at a loss – that is the problem. It is all very difficult stuff”.

Sgt John Burke told the court that there is a parallel investigation into a separate allegation.

Judge Gabbett asked that directions concerning that investigation be before the court for the next day. He said, “Justice delayed is justice denied and to be fair to the man we can’t have it hanging.”

Judge Gabbett further remanded Mr Noone on bail to appear again in court on October 23rd.

Related News

garda car newmarket on fergus drugs 02-04-21 1
Gardaí urged to clamp down on small-scale drug dealers
Church2
One-day conference on medieval churches & community connections
Clare Pyrite Action Group Meeting at Treacy's West County Hotel-9221
Crowe calls for slice of Apple windfall to go towards funding model three hospital in Clare
shutterstock_2473124043-min
Maximising Profits: Essential Strategies for Small Business Success
Latest News
cratloe v kilmaley 08-09-24 sean collins 1
'New championship' starts for Cratloe
inagh kilnamona v doora barefield 13-09-24 8
Big wins for Inagh/Kilnamona, Truagh/Clonlara & Scariff/Ogonnelloe
clare v cork 18-05-24 mark fitzgerald 3
'There were no issues' surrounding Fitzgerald exit insist Co Board with process to appoint next manager to begin
clare v laois minor hurling 04-06-22 15 brian o'connell
BOC & Coughlan stepping down as Clare minor managers
Clare Pyrite Action Group Meeting at Treacy's West County Hotel-9221
Crowe calls for slice of Apple windfall to go towards funding model three hospital in Clare
Premium
aer lingus shannon 2
Judge says cost to Aer Lingus flight returng to Shannon could be '€70,000 to €80,000" over unruly passenger
sixmilebridge v newmarket-on-fergus 06-09-24 paidi fitzpatrick peter power 2
Newmarket-on-Fergus 'hugely deflated' with earliest championship exit since 2020
ennistymon v st breckans 07-07-23 joe mcgann cillian rouine 1
The Water Break: Derby quarter-finals create football feast & Clare shocked by Mark Fitzgerald exit
overnight camping mountshannon 1
Council getting the 'two fingers' from overnight campers in Mountshannon
cratloe v kilmaley 08-09-24 sean kennedy kevin danaher 1
Kilmaley 'devastated' with manner of championship exit

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top