Pilot on US-bound jet 'turned around over the Atlantic and returned to Ireland after being told passenger had sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl sitting behind him mid flight'

The skipper of an Aer Lingus formation from Ireland to nan US turned nan level astir aft they were told a antheral rider sexually assaulted a teen mid-flight, a tribunal has heard. 

The antheral passenger, a 57-year-old from County Galway, allegedly assaulted nan 16-year-old woman who was sat down him by kissing her arm, rubbing up and down her thigh pinch his manus and grabbing her hips connected nan formation from Shannon to Boston connected November 15 2023, Ennis District Court successful Ireland was told yesterday. 

The young woman reported nan incident to compartment unit astatine 3:30pm that day, an hr aft it took off. The skipper was past informed, and nan skipper 'took a determination to move nan formation backmost to Shannon for nan information of each connected board' astatine nan costs of €28,213 (£23,490), according to Det Garda Ruth O’Sullivan. 

Detectives took statements from nan woman and her family aft nan level landed backmost successful Shannon, earlier they took disconnected again for nan US. 

The man was arrested and charged pinch 2 crimes pursuing nan incident. 

According to Det Garda O’Sullivan, nan man made 'no reply' aft he was cautioned. 

His solicitor, John Casey, said nan accused man was not applying for ineligible assistance successful this case. 

Judge Alec Gabbett restricted reporting connected nan identities of nan alleged unfortunate and attacker, and moved nan lawsuit to a higher tribunal wherever much superior penalties were disposable for nan man. 

The judge remanded nan accused man connected bail to November 27, erstwhile he will return to Ennis District Court for different hearing.