Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 3911Sexual assault · Co. Galway · 15 Nov 2023

Co Galway farmer pleads guilty to sexually assaulting teenager on flight to Boston

Patrick Noone, 58, a farmer from Ballinasloe, Co Galway, pleaded guilty at Ennis Circuit Court to two counts of sexual assault on a then 16-year-old girl during an Aer Lingus flight from Shannon Airport to Boston on 15 November 2023. The captain turned the plane around after cabin crew were informed of the incident, and the case is awaiting sentencing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe victim was a then 16-year-old girl sitting beside the accused. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe captain turned the plane around and returned to Shannon Airport. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe assault took place during an Aer Lingus flight from Shannon Airport to Boston. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe assault was within the jurisdiction of the Irish State. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereNoone is from Curragh, Kilconnell, Ballinasloe. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe sexual assault occurred on 15 November 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenAbout an hour into the flight, at about 3.30pm, the girl informed cabin crew she had been inappropriately touched. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtPatrick Noone, 58, pleaded guilty at Ennis Circuit Court to two counts of sexual assault. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtUS-based witnesses were to provide evidence via video-link. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Francis Comerford directed a probation report and a victim impact statement from the complainant. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherNoone is a self-employed farmer with no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe cost to Aer Lingus of returning the aircraft to Shannon Airport was €28,213. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe complainant is now aged 18 and studying in a US college. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThere was no connection between Noone and the injured party. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Feb2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Co Galway farmer pleads guilty to sexually assaulting teenager on flight to Boston

    Guilty plea entered at Ennis Circuit Court; sentencing pending with probation report and victim impact statement directed by Judge Francis Comerford.

    accused, Patrick Noone, 58, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Noonevictim, 16, female