Judge jails man for ‘outrageous’ act on board Shannon-bound Ryanair flight

A judge has jailed a 25-year-old man for three months after hearing he was seen masturbating beside a passenger on board a Ryanair flight to Shannon earlier this month.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge Mary Larkin described Ioan Remi Makula's "abuse" on board the flight as "outrageous".

The judge said Makula “upset the woman beside him and upset the entire plane and that can’t be tolerated”.

Sgt Aiden Lonergan told the court it would be alleged the defendant of 52 Fearann Ri, Doughiska, Galway, was seen masturbating on the Shannon-bound flight from Manchester on February 4th.

He said that statements were taken from captain, crew and passengers and CCTV was taken too “and passengers were described as being very upset as a result of the incident”.

He said the defendant was arrested at Shannon airport and brought before a court charged in connection with the incident and has been on remand in custody since.

The defendant pleaded guilty to engaging in behaviour of a threatening, abusive or insulting nature, whether by word or gesture, with intent to cause a breach of the peace, or being reckless as to whether a breach of the peace might have been occasioned on the flight.

Defending solicitor Darragh Hassett told the court his client wanted to apologise. He said the defendant was a Polish national who was educated at primary and secondary school in Galway and has since worked as a kitchen porter.