Passenger's threatening conduct on Dublin flight ‘incredibly frightening' for others on board
An air passenger became threatening and abusive on a Ryanair flight in what a judge said would have been an 'incredibly frightening' experience for others on the plane.
Daniel Smolkowski (43) was already drunk when he boarded the flight from Poland to Dublin, remembered very little of what happened and was 'ashamed' of his behaviour, a court heard. Judge Patricia Cronin applied the Probation Act, sparing him a criminal record, after he made a €1,200 charity donation.
Smolkowski, of The Park, Barnhall Meadows, Leixlip, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour on an aircraft.
Dublin District Court heard gardaí were called to Terminal 1 at Dublin Airport on April 15 after the accused became disruptive on a flight from Wroclaw. He was arrested and charged. He had no previous convictions.
The accused had been living in Ireland for 17 years and went home to Poland to see family, his lawyer said. He was drunk getting on the flight and 'remembers very little of it'.
Smolkowski was a qualified engineer but was not in full-time employment.
Judge Cronin said incidents like this were 'incredibly frightening' for other passengers, some of whom may already have anxiety flying and were 'in effect trapped in a small vessel'. Being drunk was no excuse for the accused's behaviour, the judge said.
It was 'undoubtedly a distressing experience' for those on the flight and Smolkowski understood this but it was a 'once-off' and he was previously of 'exemplary behaviour', his lawyer said.
Daniel Smolkowski
Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 1st
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
‘I have nothing to lose': Businessman sent masked spy to watch ex-partner, court told
It was alleged her ex-partner sent an email to her work on Friday, booked an appointment with her, and one message quoted in court read: "I have nothing to lose, watch what I do today" A Dublin businessman flouted a protection order by sending a masked man to spy on his ex-partner through her window at night and emailing her work, saying "I've nothing to lose", a court heard. The man in his late 20s, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was charged with breaching the Domestic Violence Act order and refused bail by Judge Maire Conneely on Saturday. Voicing concerns about possible witness interference, a local garda told Dublin District Court that the woman had secured a protection order at the start of May but continued to live with the accused for several weeks. However, she recently moved out and was staying at another house in a different part of the city. Stock image. Photo: Getty Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 5th It was alleged her ex-partner sent an email to her work on Friday, booked an appointment with her, and one message quoted in court read: "I have nothing to lose, watch what I do today". The garda testified that in the early hours of Saturday, a masked man on a bike was sent by the accused to her new home, and there was CCTV evidence. The woman also alleged the person outside had been shouting, "Where are you, where are you?" She said she stood behind her curtains but heard the man speaking on his phone, telling someone "he could see her inside". Visibly upset, the woman told Judge Conneely that she could see the "fully covered" man at her window was talking about her, and referring to her with a version of her name only used by her ex-partner. She broke down and wept as she spoke out, claiming her ex became nasty when he abused alcohol and drugs, which had resulted in her seeking the protection order. The woman alleged that the man blocked her from re-entering their former shared home when she needed to retrieve her work uniform. Cross-examined by defence counsel Kevin McCrave put to her that she kicked or damaged the door and that his client had offered to leave her uniform outside, which she did not accept. She also alleged she had to move her car because of a threat to damage it, adding, "I am in genuine fear". Mr McCrave stressed that his client maintained he was innocent and would abide by strict conditions, including not going near his former partner's new address and refraining from contacting her. Judge Conneely stressed the accused has the presumption of innocence, but held the garda had established grounds as she denied bail. The accused did not testify during the proceedings and spoke only to consult with his barrister. The man, who awaits a full hearing of the charge, was remanded in custody to appear again next week. After the judge made her decision, the accused raised concerns, via his counsel, about his work and the lack of someone to care for and feed his pets before he was escorted from the court.
The Journal
a day ago
- The Journal
Businessman sent masked spy to watch former partner, court told
A DUBLIN BUSINESSMAN flouted a protection order by sending a masked man to spy on his ex-partner through her window at night and emailing her work, saying 'I've nothing to lose', a court heard. The man in his late 20s, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was charged with breaching the Domestic Violence Act order and refused bail by Judge Maire Conneely today. Voicing concerns about possible witness interference, a local garda told Dublin District Court that the woman had secured a protection order at the start of May but continued to live with the accused for several weeks. However, she recently moved out and was staying at another house in a different part of the city. It was alleged her ex-partner sent an email to her workplace yesterday, booked an appointment with her, and one message quoted in court read, 'I have nothing to lose, watch what I do today'. The garda testified that in the early hours of Saturday, a masked man on a bike was sent by the accused to her new home, and there was CCTV evidence. The woman also alleged the person outside had been shouting, 'Where are you, where are you?' She said she stood behind her curtains but heard the man speaking on his phone, telling someone 'he could see her inside'. Visibly upset, the woman told Judge Conneely that she could see the 'fully covered' man at her window was talking about her, and referring to her with a version of her name only used by her ex-partner. Advertisement She broke down and wept as she spoke out, claiming her ex became nasty when he abused alcohol and drugs, which had resulted in her seeking the protection order. The woman alleged that the man blocked her from re-entering their former shared home when she needed to retrieve her work uniform. Cross-examined, defence counsel Kevin McCrave put to her that she kicked or damaged the door and that his client had offered to leave her uniform outside, which she did not accept. She also alleged she had to move her car because of a threat to damage it, adding, 'I am in genuine fear'. McCrave stressed that his client maintained he was innocent and would abide by strict conditions, including not going near his former partner's new address and refraining from contacting her. Judge Conneely stressed the accused has the presumption of innocence, but held the garda had established grounds as she denied bail. The accused did not testify during the proceedings and spoke only to consult with his barrister. The man, who awaits a full hearing of the charge, was remanded in custody to appear again next week. After the judge made her decision, the accused raised concerns, via his counsel, about his work and the lack of someone to care for and feed his pets before he was escorted from the court.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Number of passengers injured following ‘false fire warning' on UK-bound Ryanair flight from Mallorca
A number of passengers were injured following a 'false fire warning' onboard a Manchester-bound Ryanair flight at Palma de Mallorca Airport last night.
