Family holiday turns violent as man assaults airport police at Ryanair gate
Tom Tuite
An Indian computer science graduate "bullied” Ryanair boarding staff before assaulting a Dublin Airport police officer at the steps of an aircraft and lashing out at a Garda, a court has heard.
"Frequent flyer", Shine Thomas, 47, with an address in Old Kilmainham, Dublin 8, denied impeding an authorised officer at the airport and post-arrest violent behaviour at a garda station on August 20th last.
However, the married father of two was found guilty at Dublin District Court on Thursday by Judge John Hughes, who criticised Thomas for his "ignorance, rudeness and violence".
He noted that the accused was bringing his family on holiday to London when he failed to comply with procedures and became uncooperative.
Some of the scenes occurred in the presence of children, the court also heard.
Dublin Airport Police officer Dean Farrell told the hearing that he had learned from Ryanair staff that the accused had failed to complete the boarding process at the boarding gate in Terminal 1 and had proceeded to the Ryanair aircraft without authorisation.
Officer Farrell said he made attempts to “de-escalate” the situation at the aircraft stairs when Thomas pushed him.
By this stage, he had been refused permission to board and had to be restrained and handcuffed. He was taken to the local Garda station by car.
Garda Declan Ryan said that at this point, Thomas would not get out of the vehicle, and "it took six members to physically carry him into the station".
He lay face down on the floor, but the officer told the court that the accused was breathing easily and showed no signs of distress.
Thomas, who has lived in Ireland for 10 years, was moved into a holding cell.
"At this juncture, as I was removing his handcuffs, I was struck by him," Garda Ryan said.
He also told the court that a doctor came and examined him and found no injury; his wife was called and came to see him at the station, but "there was very little conversation".
He refused to sign a bail bond, so he was held until a court hearing, at which he was released.
During the hearing, the accused instructed his counsel that he had suffered broken ribs and had reports to confirm those injuries, but later the judge was informed Thomas did not have medical documentation.
Thomas, who had no prior convictions, said he flew frequently, knew the check-in procedure, and believed the airline staff member should not have placed his passport on the desk.
Garda Ryan told him it was in no danger of being taken or lost.
He maintained he was not asked for his details when he was taken to the station. That claim was challenged by Garda Ryan, who said it was the very first procedure when an arrested person is brought into the station.
The defence argued he was entitled to resist a lawful arrest. However, Judge Hughes said it was clear from the CCTV footage that Thomas was causing a problem, was not cooperating with the boarding crew, and was bullying them.
After being found guilty, Thomas apologised and claimed he was off work as a result of injuries.
His barrister, Paul Larkin Coyle, described his client as highly intelligent and holding a post-graduate degree.
Judge Hughes said the accused had not shown much intelligence on the date and described his actions toward staff dealing with thousands of passengers a day as “outrageous, wrong and criminal".
He said a recorded court conviction could have implications for Thomas's visa and adjourned sentencing him until May. He ordered a probation report on the accused. He set several conditions, including completing an anger-management course and providing evidence of job applications if he is not back at work by then.
