Man on trial for hoax Heathrow bomb alerts

The trial has opened of a man accused of sending hoax emails to Heathrow airport from a Dublin City Library computer claiming there were bombs on two flights to New York .

Adam Busby (aged 61), of Santry Lodge, Ballymun, has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. to two counts of sending hoax messages for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety at Charleville Mall Public Library, North Strand on two dates in May 2006.

Mr Dominic McGinn BL, prosecuting, told the jury in opening the case, that on May 8, 2006 Heathrow Airport Media Centre received an email with the subject “bomb on aircraft” and text which claimed there was an explosive device on a plane which was at that time en route from Heathrow to New York.

He said a second email was received by the media centre a week later on May 15 with the subject “Urgent bomb” and with text claiming that a bomb on a flight which was at that time en route to New York which would explode before arrival.

The emails gave details of actual flight numbers for aircraft that were in the air at the time the messages were received.

Mr McGinn told the jury the prosecution would have to prove that the messages were sent by Mr Busby. He said there would be technical evidence that the emails could be traced via an IP address to a computer owned by Dublin City Library.

He said the location of the computer it could be further traced to Charleville Library where there were two computers available for public use. He said that in order to use these computers members of the public had to register with the librarian.

Mr McGinn said it was the State’s case that Mr Busby was signed in to use one of the computers at the time and date both emails were sent. He said there would also be evidence from the librarian who knew Mr Busby and the jury would see CCTV footage.

Mr McGinn said the computer was also used to access other web sites including live flight information from Heathrow showing the progress and time of taking off and arrival of flights.

The trial continues before Judge Desmond Hogan and a jury of five women and seven men.