Pilot fined €20k for dangerous flying
Imposing the fines at Galway Circuit Criminal Court yesterday, Judge Thomas O’Donnell said it was “an absolute miracle” that the pilot was not killed or an appalling catastrophe had not occurred if the helicopter had crashed while flying low over an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 people attending the fair that day.
Businessman and quarry owner Michael Mannion, aged 40, of Castlesampson, Bealnamulla, Athlone, Co Westmeath, pleaded guilty to five breaches of the Irish Aviation Authority (Rules of the Air) Act 2004.
