An Austrian man who caused a flight to divert to Shannon Airport has appeared in court and was charged with three 'air rage' related charges.
A flight with Harold Albrecht and 199 other passengers en route from Washington to Vienna was forced to divert to Shannon Airport shortly after 7am following an alleged 'air rage' incident on board involving Mr Albrecht.
At a special sitting of Ennis District Court this afternoon, Mr Albrecht was charged with engaging in behaviour of a threatening, abusive or insulting nature whether by word or gesture with intent to cause a breach of the peace on board the flight.
He was also charged with engaging in behaviour likely to cause serious offence or annoyance to any person on board the aircraft having been requested by a member of the aircraft to cease such behaviour.
Intoxication charges to such an extent as would give rise to a reasonable apprehension that he might endanger himself or other persons on board the aircraft were made against him.
Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Mr Albrecht made no reply when charged.
In court, Garda Inspector Tom Kennedy said that gardaí were objecting to bail on the grounds that Mr Albrecht is a flight risk as he has no ties in Ireland.
The court was told that Mr Albrecht is a professional librarian and was returning from a five-week internship in the US where he was studying the Holocaust.
Solicitor for the man, Jenny Fitzgibbon, said that Mr Albecht is well travelled with his work, describing him as 'career driven'.
She said that it was erroneous to describe Mr Albrecht as a flight risk, stating that he is willing to abide by any conditions set down by the court.
Garda Inspector Kennedy said that he was impressed by a letter handed into court on Mr Albrecht's behalf by Ms Fitzgibbon and that gardaí had possession of Mr Albrecht's passport.
Judge Aeneas McCarthy said that he would grant bail with conditions that Mr Albrecht sign on twice daily at Shannon Garda Station, remain sober, stay in Shannon and lodge his own bond of €300.
Judge McCarthy remanded Mr Albrecht on bail to re-appear before Ennis District Court on Monday, 22 August.
Inspector Kennedy said the maximum penalty in the cases concerned is four months and that the Director of Public Prosecution has ruled that the case can be disposed of in the District Court.
