Thursday 29 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. 11666Sexual assault · Co. Clare · 15 Nov 2023

Permission given for video-link evidence in Aer Lingus flight sex assault trial

A 58-year-old Co Galway man is denying two counts of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl on an Aer Lingus Shannon-to-Boston flight on 15 November 2023. At Ennis Circuit Court, the judge allowed four State witnesses, including the complainant, to give evidence by video link from the US at the trial due next February.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court27 Dec
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused is a 58-year-old man from Co Galway who is denying two counts of sexual assault. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatA young girl told cabin crew that a male passenger beside her had touched her inappropriately. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatThe captain turned the flight back to Shannon after being told of the alleged assault. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereThe alleged assaults took place on board an Aer Lingus transatlantic flight. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences occurred on 15 November 2023 on the Shannon to Boston flight. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeThe first charge alleges kissing her arm and rubbing her thigh with his hand. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeThe second charge alleges rubbing and grabbing her buttocks on the flight. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe case was transferred from the District Court to the Circuit Court. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe judge granted permission for four State witnesses to give evidence by video link from the US. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution asked for the complainant's evidence to be given by video link from the US because she is studying in a US college. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe accused's counsel said he consented to the application and did not oppose it. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe accused was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis Circuit Court on 3 February. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe cost to Aer Lingus of returning the aircraft to Shannon was €28,213. (clareecho.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Dec2025
    In courtclareecho.ie, follow-up
    Permission given for US college student to give video-link evidence in Aer Lingus flight sex assault case - Clare Echo

    Court hearing on video-link evidence for the trial, which is due next February. The accused is remanded on continuing bail to 3 February. The article adds that the case was transferred from the District Court to the Circuit Court, and that the flight was turned back to Shannon.

    accused, 58, malevictim, 16, female