Ireland Galway man returned for trial over alleged sexual assault on Aer Lingus flight
A 57-year-old man from Galway has been charged with two counts of sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl on an Aer Lingus Shannon to Boston flight on 15 November 2023. The captain turned the aircraft around over the Atlantic Ocean after being told of the alleged touching, and Gardaí said the cost to Aer Lingus of returning it to Shannon was €28,213. Two other charges against him were withdrawn and the case was transferred to the circuit court. On 27 November 2024 he was returned for trial at Ennis District Court, remanded on continuing bail, with reporting restrictions continued and a call over set for 13 December.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court27 Nov
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The man is charged with two counts of sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl.
- The suspect is a 57-year-old man from Galway, and the victim was 16 at the time.
- Where
- The alleged offences happened on a transatlantic Aer Lingus flight from Shannon to Boston.
- When
- The alleged offences took place on 15 November 2023.
- The next circuit court sitting is early next year, with a call over date on 13 December.
- Charges
- The first charge alleges he kissed her arm and rubbed up and down her thigh with his hand.
- The second charge alleges he rubbed and grabbed her buttocks on the flight.
- Two other charges against the accused have been withdrawn.
- Other details
- The captain turned the aircraft around over the Atlantic Ocean after being told of the alleged touching.
- Gardaí said the cost to Aer Lingus of returning the aircraft to Shannon was €28,213.
- Investigation
- A Garda gave evidence of serving the Book of Evidence in the case.
- In court
- The case was transferred to the circuit court earlier.
- On 27 November 2024 the accused was returned for trial at Ennis District Court.
- The accused was remanded on continuing bail.
- Reporting restrictions on the identity of the accused and the complainant were continued.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe alleged offences happened on an Aer Lingus Shannon to Boston flight. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe flight was a transatlantic Aer Lingus flight. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe alleged offences took place on 15 November 2023. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe next circuit court sitting is early next year, with a call over date on 13 December. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationA Garda gave evidence of serving the Book of Evidence in the case. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe accused is charged with two counts of sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeOne charge alleges kissing her arm and rubbing up and down her thigh with his hand. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe second charge alleges rubbing and grabbing her buttocks on the flight. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe case was transferred to the circuit court earlier. (thejournal.ie)
- courtTwo other charges against the accused have been withdrawn. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe accused was remanded on continuing bail. (thejournal.ie)
- courtReporting restrictions on the identity of the accused and the complainant were continued. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe captain turned the aircraft around over the Atlantic Ocean after being told of the alleged touching. (thejournal.ie)
- otherGardaí said the cost to Aer Lingus of returning the aircraft to Shannon was €28,213. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Nov2024Galway man returned for trial for alleged sexual assault of teenage girl on Aer Lingus flight
Reports the accused being returned for trial at Ennis District Court, the two charges, the two withdrawn charges and the bail and reporting-restriction orders.
accused, 57, malevictim, 16, female