Cork man pleads guilty to drunken disturbance on flight from Barcelona to Cork

Gardaí received report of incoming flight with drunk man onboard and arrested him when he stepped off the plane, court told

The incident occurred on a Ryanair flight on March 1, 2025. File picture: David Creedon

Drunken behaviour on a flight from Barcelona to Cork resulted in a 37-year-old man being arrested by gardaí as soon as he stepped off the plane.

Sergeant John Dineen told Cork District Court: “Gardaí receive a report of an incoming flight with a drunk male onboard. The flight was from Barcelona to Cork and the aircraft was met on the runway by Garda James Davis.

“The suspect was highly intoxicated, had slurred speech and was unsteady on his feet, and gardaí were informed that he had caused a disruption on the flight. He was arrested and conveyed to Togher Garda Station.” 

Darren Morley, of 48 Stack’s Terrace, Cobh, Co Cork, appeared before Cork District Court where he pleaded guilty to the drunken behaviour on the flight.

The particular charge was brought under the Air Navigation and Transport Act, and the particulars stated that: “On March 1, 2025, being a person on board an aircraft in flight, namely Ryanair flight FR9307, that was within the jurisdiction of the State, were intoxicated to such an extent as would give rise to a reasonable apprehension that he might endanger himself or other persons on board the said aircraft.” 

Sgt Dineen said the same man had four similar convictions under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act for being so intoxicated he was a danger to himself or others in public places.

Solicitor Eddie Burke said Mr Morley apologised for his behaviour on the flight from Spain to Cork.

Judge David Waters said the charge only carried a financial penalty. He imposed a €350 fine. The judge commented other charges could be brought when a passenger causes a disturbance in an aircraft.

“But this is the only charge before me,” he said, in relation to the drunkenness count.