Ireland Man pleads not guilty in Dublin Airport drone interference case
Ainis Guzauskus, a 41-year-old man from Swords, Dublin, is accused of flying a DJI Mavic mini 2 drone into the critical area of Dublin Airport on 2 July 2022, causing a security alert. He was arrested on 21 February 2023 and charged under Section 43 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1988 with interfering with the operation of an aerodrome. He appeared at Dublin District Court the same day, made no reply to the charge, and was remanded on bail with conditions including a drone-flying ban and a two-kilometre exclusion from the airport. On 22 September 2023, he pleaded not guilty before Judge Michele Finan, and the DPP directed a trial on indictment in the Circuit Court, with the case adjourned to November for the preparation of a book of evidence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Charged21 Feb
- In court21 Feb
3 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Ainis Guzauskus is accused of knowingly causing a false alarm by flying a drone into the critical area of Dublin Airport, interfering with the operation of an aerodrome.
- Where
- The incident occurred at Dublin Airport, Naul Road, Dublin.
- When
- The drone incident occurred on 2 July 2022.
- Weapon
- The drone used was a DJI Mavic mini 2.
- Investigation
- Gardaí in Ballymun arrested the man on 21 February 2023, reported as morning by Gardaí and afternoon by court reports, after receiving preliminary directions from the DPP.
- Charges
- He was charged under Section 43 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1988, with the offence also referenced as section 3 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1975.
- In court
- He appeared before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court on 21 February 2023, made no reply to the charge, and was remanded on bail with conditions including a drone-flying ban, a two-kilometre exclusion from the airport, passport surrender, and a €500 bond.
- On 22 September 2023, he pleaded not guilty before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court, and the DPP directed a trial on indictment in the Circuit Court.
- Sentence
- The case was adjourned to November 2023 for the DPP to prepare a book of evidence.
- Other details
- The accused is a 41-year-old man, father of two, who has lived in Ireland for 14 years and resides at Ridgewood Close, Swords, Dublin.
43 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man in his 40s was arrested and charged over illegal drone activity at Dublin Airport (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused flew a drone into a critical area of Dublin Airport, causing a security alert. (rte.ie)
- whatHe is accused of knowingly causing a false alarm by flying a drone into the critical area of Dublin Airport, interfering with the operation of an aerodrome. (rte.ie)
- whatAinis Guzauskus is a father of two (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe is accused of flying a drone into the critical area of Dublin Airport at Naul Road (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused is a separated removal man (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe lived in Ireland for 14 years (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe did not require an interpreter (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe planned to go on holiday in July (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe accused lives at Ridgewood Close, Swords, Dublin. (rte.ie)
- whereAinis Guzauskus lives at Ridgewood Close, Swords, Dublin (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe drone flight was at Dublin Airport. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe drone activity at Dublin Airport occurred on 2 July 2022 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe man was arrested on the morning of 21 February 2023 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe drone incident at Dublin Airport occurred on 2 July 2022. (rte.ie)
- whenAinis Guzauskus was arrested on Tuesday afternoon (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe drone incident occurred on 2 July 2022 (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe alleged offence took place on 2 July 2022. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe accused allegedly flew a DJI Mavic mini 2 drone. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeHe was charged under Section 43 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1988. (rte.ie)
- chargeHe is charged under Section 43 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1988 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe is accused of an offence under section three of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1975. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe man is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice at 4.30pm on 21 February 2023 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe appeared before Judge John Hughes at a late sitting of Dublin District Court. (rte.ie)
- courtHe appeared before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe was granted bail pending further directions from the DPP (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe is to appear again on 21 March 2023 (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe was granted legal aid (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Hughes assigned solicitor Donal Quigley to represent him (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe bail bond is €500 (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe must surrender his passport (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe appeared before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court to enter a plea. (thejournal.ie)
- courtHis defence solicitor confirmed he pleads not guilty. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe DPP directed a trial on indictment, so he would face a jury trial in the Circuit Court if he contested the case. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge adjourned the case until November for the DPP to prepare a book of evidence. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceHe was remanded on bail pending further directions from the DPP to appear again on 21 March. (rte.ie)
- sentenceHe was ordered to obey conditions including a ban on flying drones and going within two kilometres of the airport. (rte.ie)
- sentenceHe was remanded on continuing bail. (thejournal.ie)
- otherIrish drone laws require a minimum of 8 kilometres from airports and 3 kilometres from heliports (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe accused made no reply to the charge after caution. (rte.ie)
- otherThere was no objection to bail with conditions. (rte.ie)
- otherHis bail terms include a ban on drone flying. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe court heard he has lived in Ireland for 14 years. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Sep2023Man pleads not guilty in Dublin Airport drone case
First report on this case in the list. Reports the not guilty plea at Dublin District Court on 22 September 2023, the trial route and the adjournment to November.
accused, Ainis Guzauskus, 41, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ainis Guzauskus - 21 Feb2023Man accused of causing drone security alert at Dublin Airport before court
Details of the bail hearing: charge under Section 43 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1988, bail conditions including drone ban, 2km airport exclusion, passport surrender, €500 bond, and next appearance date of 21 March 2023.
suspect, Ainis Guzauskus, 41, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ainis Guzauskus - 21 Feb2023Man charged over Dublin Airport drone incident
Reports the charging and bail hearing. The man was charged under Section 43 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1988 (the earlier case referenced s.3 of the 1975 Act). He made no reply to the charge after caution and was remanded on bail with conditions including a drone-flying ban and a two-kilometre exclusion zone from the airport, to appear again on 21 March.
suspect, Ainis Guzauskus, 41, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ainis Guzauskus - 21 Feb2023Man arrested and charged over illegal drone activity at Dublin Airport
Garda press release confirming the charge and court appearance for the drone incident at Dublin Airport.
suspect, 40s, male