Man accused of air rage incident on Ryanair flight further remanded in custody

Accused charged with threatening and abusive behaviour on board a Ryanair flight from Manchester to Shannon of February 4

Ioan Remi Makula, 25, of Fearann Ri, Doughiska, Galway, has been on remand in custody since February 5.

The 25-year old man charged in connection with an alleged "air rage" type incident on board a Ryanair flight is to spend a further seven days in custody.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Daragh Hassett, solicitor for Ioan Remi Makula, said Mr Makula could be brought to court next week when the case can be disposed of.

Mr Makula was not available to appear in court via video link from prison due to a Covid-19 issue.

Mr Makula has been on remand in custody since February 5 and by next Wednesday will have spent 18 days in custody.

Mr Hassett asked that a Romanian interpreter be in court next Wednesday for the hearing of the case as his client’s English “is hit and miss”.

Judge Mary Larkin said: “He has been reared in Ireland. Why would he need a Romanian interpreter? Anyway, I won’t argue with you about it."

Judge Larkin has previously ordered a psychiatric report on Mr Makula, of 52 Fearann Ri, Doughiska, Galway.

In the case, Mr Makula is charged with being a person on board a Ryanair flight no FR4776 from Manchester to Shannon on February 4 and engaging in behaviour of a threatening, abusive or insulting nature whether by word or gesture with intent to cause of breach of the peace of being reckless as to whether a breach of the peace might have been occasioned.

The charge is contrary to Section 2(a) of the Air Navigation and Transport Act.

Sergeant Aiden Lonergan had previously confirmed that no further charges were being brought against Mr Makulua.

In evidence, Garda Chris Healy of Shannon Garda Station told the court on February 5 that in response to caution and charge, Mr Makula made no reply.

When Mr Makula was arrested at Shannon airport on February 4, he was travelling on a Romanian passport.

The court has been told that Mr Makula had previously surrendered an Irish passport.

Judge Larkin remanded Mr Makula in custody to appear at Ennis District Court next Wednesday, February 23.