Man accused of hoax bomb alert in custody

THE man accused of causing a hoax bomb alert which created chaos at Dublin Airport on Tuesday has been remanded in custody following a brief court appearance yesterday.

John McHugh, 48, a single, unemployed man with an address at Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1, is charged with making a false statement under Section 12A of the Criminal Law Act 1976.

Garda Chris Elliot of Dublin Airport Garda Station told Dublin District Court the accused was formally charged at Santry at 9.52pm on Tuesday.

He was arrested for alleged remarks which sparked a major security alert at Dublin Airport on Tuesday afternoon which led to the closure of the main terminal building and the cancellation and delay of many flights.

Garda Elliot gave evidence that McHugh’s actions had resulted in the airport being closed for two hours.

Under the Criminal Law Act, McHugh, an Irish national born in England, is charged with knowingly making “a false report or statement tending to show that an offence has been committed or tending to give rise to apprehension for the safety of persons or property”.

Anyone convicted of the offence can face a maximum jail sentence of five years. However, if the case is prosecuted at District Court level, the maximum punishment is a fine of €635 or a 12-month term of imprisonment or both.

Due to the seriousness of the charges faced by McHugh, it is believed the DPP will elect for the prosecution to be brought before a sitting of the Circuit Criminal Court.

Dressed in a plain black T-shirt, grey tracksuit bottoms and black shoes, McHugh did not speak during the five-minute hearing, although his solicitor Kieran Conway informed the court that McHugh did not have access to independent surety.

Gardaí objected to McHugh being released on his own bail because of the seriousness of the charge.

Judge Leo Malone remanded him in custody with consent to his own bail of €500 and an independent surety of €1,000. He also granted McHugh free legal aid.

The judge also ordered that McHugh sign on daily at Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station and to stay away from Dublin and Shannon airports as part of his bail conditions. He also fixed the accused’s next court appearance for July 12 at Cloverhill Court.

It is understood that McHugh is an opponent of the US presence in Iraq, although he is not believed to a member of any anti-war organisation.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Dublin Airport said that all services had returned to normal yesterday with no further delays.

However, passengers face the possibility of more disruption today due to industrial action being staged by SIPTU members at Dublin Airport between 9.45am and 11am. Travellers are being advised to check in as normal.