A captain of an Aer Lingus Boston-bound flight turned the aircraft around over the Atlantic Ocean after being informed that a male passenger had inappropriately touched a teenage girl sitting beside him on the flight, a court has heard.
At Ennis District Court today, a 57-year old County Galway man appeared in connection with being charged with two counts of sexually assaulting the then 16 year old girl on board the E1 135 Shannon to Boston flight on November 15th 2023.
Det Garda Ruth O’Sullivan told the court that the costs to Aer Lingus of returning the Boston bound aircraft to Shannon is €28,213.
Giving an outline of the alleged sexual assaults, Det Garda O’Sullivan said that the flight had departed Shannon at around 2.30pm.
Det Garda O’Sullivan said that an hour into the transatlantic flight at around 3.30pm, a young girl informed cabin crew that a male passenger sitting beside her had touched her inappropriately.
Det Garda O’Sullivan said: “They then informed the captain who took a decision to turn the flight back to Shannon for the safety of all on board.”
She said that the young girl and her family returned to Shannon airport where statements were obtained in the short turnaround before they took off again for the US.
In one charge, the man is charged with the sexual assault of the girl by way of kissing her arm and rubbing up and down her thigh with his hand on board the Aer Lingus flight within the jurisdiction of the Irish State, contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Amendment Act.
In the second charge, the man is charged with the sexual assault of the girl by rubbing and grabbing her buttocks on the flight within the State contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Amendment Act.
Det Garda O’Sullivan said that she arrested the accused for purpose of charge before Wednesday’s sitting of Ennis District Court.
Det Garda O’Sullivan said that the accused made 'no reply' after caution.
After hearing an outline of the State’s case against the accused, Judge Alec Gabbett declined district court jurisdiction and the case will be transferred to the circuit court where more serious penalties are available.
Sgt John Burke said that the DPP had consented to the case being heard in the district court but on a guilty plea only.
Judge Gabbett said that as he has refused jurisdiction a Book of Evidence will now be required in the case for the circuit court.
Asked by Judge Gabbett did he had any application for legal aid to make on behalf of his client, solicitor, John Casey replied ’no’.
Judge Gabbett imposed reporting restrictions on the identity of the accused and complainant in the case.
Judge Gabbett said that he is sure that there is significant disclosure in the case.
Judge Gabbett remanded the accused on bail to November 27th to Ennis District Court for the serving of the Book of Evidence.
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