Man accused of twice shining laser at rescue helicopter searching River Lee for missing person

The crew of Rescue 117 twice reported a green laser being pointed into its cockpit.

DPP directions are awaited in the case against a man accused of shining a laser from the balcony of an apartment into the cockpit of a helicopter which was involved in a search of the River Lee for a missing person.

It is alleged this caused the rescue helicopter to have to stand down from its activities on two separate occasions. These were the allegations against Daniel Kazirodek, of an apartment at 29/30 Lower John Street, Cork, in respect of an incident after midnight on October 18, 2023. The accused is aged around 40.

Judge Mary Dorgan said previously the case was too serious to be dealt with at district court level. The DPP had indicated it could be dealt with at the district court.

“It is far too serious. The fact that a helicopter was looking for a missing person and I must also take into consideration that it happened twice and that it is alleged that the helicopter had to be stood down — apart altogether from the safety of the helicopter,” Judge Dorgan said.

Sergeant John Kelleher outlined the allegations in the case: “During this search, a request was made of the Irish coastguard helicopter Rescue 117 to assist in the search from Waterford.

“At approximately 00.15, the crew of 117 reported a green laser being pointed into the cockpit of the helicopter and the search operations had to be suspended.

“At approximately 1.55am, the crew in Rescue 117 reported a second laser strike in the helicopter.

“The camera operative had observed a male standing on a balcony shining the laser at the aircraft. Search operations were again suspended and gardaí were guided to the location of the laser.

“With the assistance of the Irish Coast Guard, the address of a second floor apartment with a balcony at 29/30 Lower John Street was identified.

“Gardaí were invited into the address by Mr Kazirodek, who was highly intoxicated.

“A search warrant was subsequently obtained for his apartment and it was subsequently searched. He handed Sergeant Colin Dowling a box containing a number of different attachments for a laser. He said he discarded the actual laser by throwing it into a nearby factory."

The charge under the State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014 states that on October 17, 2023, at Lower John Street, Cork, the accused man did deliberately and recklessly shine a laser in the direction of an Irish Coast Guard aircraft so that the light may dazzle, distract or confuse the pilot or person in the performance of their duties.

Judge Philip O’Leary adjourned the case, on the application of Sgt Kelleher, until January 26 2026, to allow time for further DPP directions.