Friday 30 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. 15679Sexual assault · Co. Clare · 15 Nov 2023

Man in court accused of sexually assaulting girl on Aer Lingus flight from Shannon

A 57-year-old man from County Galway has been charged with two counts of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl on an Aer Lingus flight from Shannon to Boston on 15 November 2023. The girl told cabin crew that a male passenger seated beside her had touched her inappropriately, and the captain turned the aircraft back to Shannon. The man was arrested for the purpose of charge shortly before he appeared at Ennis District Court on 23 October 2024. The Director of Public Prosecutions consented to a guilty-plea-only hearing in the district court, but the judge declined jurisdiction, so the case will move to the circuit court once a Book of Evidence is prepared. He was remanded on bail to appear again on 27 November.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court23 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A girl told cabin crew that a male passenger sitting beside her had touched her inappropriately.
Where
The alleged offences took place on Aer Lingus flight E1 135 from Shannon to Boston.
When
  • The alleged offences took place on 15 November 2023.
  • The flight departed Shannon at around 2.30pm.
Cause
The captain turned the flight back to Shannon over the Atlantic for the safety of everyone on board after being told of the allegations.
Other details
  • The cost to Aer Lingus of returning the aircraft to Shannon was €28,213.
  • The judge imposed reporting restrictions so neither the accused nor the complainant can be identified.
Investigation
  • Statements were obtained from the girl and her family at Shannon airport during the short turnaround.
  • The accused was arrested for the purpose of charge shortly before the court sitting and made no reply after caution.
Charges
  • The accused was charged with two counts of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl.
  • One charge alleges kissing her arm and rubbing up and down her thigh, and another alleges rubbing and grabbing her buttocks on the flight.
In court
  • The Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the case being heard in the district court on a guilty plea only, but the judge declined district court jurisdiction.
  • The case will be transferred to the circuit court, and a Book of Evidence is required before it can be forwarded.
  • The accused was remanded on bail to appear again on 27 November.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA girl told cabin crew that a male passenger sitting beside her had touched her inappropriately. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe alleged offences took place on an Aer Lingus flight from Shannon to Boston. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences took place on 15 November 2023. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe flight departed Shannon at around 2.30pm. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationStatements were obtained from the girl and her family at Shannon airport during the short turnaround. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe accused was arrested for the purpose of charge shortly before the court sitting. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe accused made no reply after caution. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeThe accused was charged with two counts of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeOne charge alleges kissing her arm and rubbing up and down her thigh. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeAnother charge alleges rubbing and grabbing her buttocks on the flight. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the case being heard in the district court on a guilty plea only. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge declined district court jurisdiction, so the case will be transferred to the circuit court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtA Book of Evidence is required before the case can be forwarded to the circuit court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe accused was remanded on bail to appear again on 27 November. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe captain decided to turn the flight back to Shannon for the safety of everyone on board. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe cost to Aer Lingus of returning the aircraft to Shannon was €28,213. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe judge imposed reporting restrictions so neither the accused nor the complainant can be identified. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Oct2024
    In courtlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Man in court accused of sexually assaulting young girl on transatlantic flight from Shannon

    First report of the case. The article covers the district court appearance, the charges, the flight being turned back to Shannon, and the judge declining district court jurisdiction.

    accused, 57, malevictim, 16, female