Farmer admits sexually assaulting 16-year-old girl on transatlantic flight to Boston

The court was told that the complainant, now aged 18, is currently studying in a US college

When cabin crew told the captain a male passenger had allegedly inappropriately touched a teenage girl sitting beside him on the flight, the captain turned the Boston-bound plane around and journeyed back to Shannon Airport. File picture: Denis Scannell

A Co Galway farmer has pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of a then-16-year-old girl on a transatlantic Aer Lingus flight bound for Boston.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Patrick Noone, aged 58, pleaded guilty when arraigned on two counts of sexual assault contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Amendment Act on November 15, 2023.

When cabin crew told the captain a male passenger had allegedly inappropriately touched a teenage girl sitting beside him on the flight, the captain turned the Boston-bound plane around and journeyed back to Shannon Airport.

Mr Noone of Curragh, Kilconnell, Ballinasloe, pleaded guilty to sexual assault of the girl by rubbing and grabbing her buttocks on board the flight. He also pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of the girl by kissing her arm and rubbing her thigh.

His counsel, Antoinette Simon, told the court that her client is a self-employed farmer and has no previous convictions. Ms Simon asked for a Probation Report for the sentencing hearing as it may provide insight into his offending.

Judge Francis Comerford granted the request and also directed that gardaí seek a victim impact statement from the complainant.

Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford told Judge Comerford there is no connection between Mr Noone and the injured party.

She said Mr Noone’s side more than two weeks ago offered the guilty plea and this was of some assistance as arrangements had been made for the US-based witnesses to provide their evidence via videolink for the trial.

Ms Comerford said that the complainant — now aged 18 and 16 at the time of the alleged offence — is currently studying in a US college.

Detective Garda Ruth O’Sullivan told the court previously that the costs to Aer Lingus of returning the Boston-bound aircraft to Shannon is €28,213.

Giving an outline of the alleged sexual assaults, Det. Garda O’Sullivan said that an hour into the transatlantic flight at around 3.30pm, a young girl informed cabin crew that a male passenger sitting beside her had touched her inappropriately.

“They then informed the captain who took a decision to turn the flight back to Shannon.” 

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