Court told of air rage accused's contempt for gardai

A 42-year-old US citizen charged with two air rage offences was yesterday accused by a senior garda of treating the district court and gardaí with contempt.

Mr Paul Curry, a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, was arrested at Shannon Airport yesterday morning after Shannon gardaí were notified of his alleged abusive and threatening behaviour on board an Aer Lingus flight from Boston to Shannon.

One of 253 passengers on board the flight, Mr Curry was travelling with two nephews and a niece to his sister's wedding in Ennistymon next Thursday.

Following his arrest, Mr Curry was held in custody before being brought to Ennis District Court yesterday morning.

He is charged with engaging in behaviour likely to cause serious offence or annoyance, having being requested by a member of the crew of the aircraft to cease such behaviour.

Mr Curry is also charged with engaging in behaviour of a threatening, abusive or insulting nature with intent to cause a breach of the peace on the flight.

Garda Pat Broderick told the court that in response to the charge, Mr Curry said: "No, I was not happy with the service."

Insp Michael Gallagher told the court that the charges facing Mr Curry carry a possible penalty of four months in jail or a fine.

Briefly addressing the court yesterday, Mr Curry said: "I didn't believe that I did anything wrong."

After time was given in court yesterday to allow Mr Curry to secure an independent surety to allow his release before a full hearing of the case, Insp Michael Gallagher of Ennis Garda station said: "Mr Curry has treated the court and the gardaí with contempt and expects to walk out of the court on his own terms."

He described Mr Curry as uncooperative and awkward.

According to Garda Pat Broderick, Mr Curry's nephews and niece were embarrassed by his behaviour and arrangements were made by immigration staff at Shannon to have their aunt from Kilkenny pick them up.

Mr Curry said: "I am responsible for those kids and their father is coming over on Sunday. I am a responsible man, I have a $500,000 a year job."

Mr Curry was given the court lunch break to contact his Irish relatives and the US embassy to organise an independent surety to secure his release on bail.

Asked by Judge Joseph Mangan after court resumed why he had not arranged an independent surety with his Irish relatives, Mr Curry responded: "I don't know them, I haven't seen them in 17 years."

Insp Gallagher told the court that during the break in court, Mr Curry approached him and wanted to ask him a legal question. Insp Gallagher said Mr Curry asked what was he doing in court as he was asleep for the last two hours of the flight and had not committed any offence on Irish territory.

After Mr Curry attempted to interject, Judge Mangan ordered him to stop talking. He said to Mr Curry: "Can you listen to something else apart from your own voice?" In response, Mr Curry said: "I know that, that's why I got into trouble on the airplane."

Insp Gallagher told the court that the State's main witness was going to Rome last night and would not be back in Ireland until next Friday, adding there would be other State witnesses.

Mr Curry was remanded on bail of €5,000 and an independent surety of €10.

The case was adjourned until July 12th for mention, before a full hearing on July 16th.