A 19-YEAR-OLD man accused of carrying out two “serious assaults” on board a flight that was forced to divert to Shannon Airport last week was able to fly home from Dublin Airport two days later, a court has heard.
At Ennis District Court, solicitor for Jay Dalziel, Stiofan Fitzpatrick said that Mr Dalziel flew back from Dublin after a €5,000 cash surety was presented at Limerick Prison.
Mr Dalziel spent one night in Limerick Prison after Judge Alec Gabbett remanded Mr Dalziel in custody with consent to bail after Mr Dalziel appeared before court arising from an incident on board a Tenerife bound flight from Glasgow.
In the case, Mr Dalziel of Cornelia Street, Motherwell, in Scotland, appeared after being charged with two counts of assault causing harm on board the Glasgow to Tenerife flight on June 12.
Mr Dalziel is also facing two breach of the peace charges contrary to Section 20 of the Air Navigation Act on board the jet2.com flight on June 12, where he is accused of engaging in behaviour of a threatening, abusive, or insulting nature whether by word or gesture with intent to cause of breach of the peace.
In the case, Mr Dalziel – who turned 19 at the end of last month – is charged with the assault causing harm of Amie Hendry and assault causing harm of John Mills contrary to Section 3 of the Offences against the Person Act 1997 on June 12.
The flight departed Glasgow and diverted to Shannon Airport shortly after following an incident on board.
Mr Dalziel was arrested by Gardaí after the aircraft touched down and was brought to Shannon Garda Station and the flight continued its journey to Tenerife.
Explaining the requirement for the independent surety of €5,000, Judge Gabbett said: “These are serious assault charges and it is important that I know someone is going to face trial.”
Mr Dalziel was excused from attending court, where Judge Gabbett said “there is potential for other charges there”.
In reply, Mr Fitzpatrick said: “There is a lot of potential for a lot of things.”
Judge Gabbett said that Mr Dalziel “was a very lucky man that his grandfather was available” to provide an independent surety and accompany him back to Scotland.
Mr Fitzpatrick said it is a reflection on his client that his grandfather travelled so quickly to court.
Judge Gabbett said that he will be testing bail at some stage and require Mr Dalziel to attend court.
Directions from the DPP are still awaited and Sgt John Burke asked that the case be adjourned to July 24 for DPP directions.
