Flight Forced to Turn Back After Teen Girl Sexually Assaulted Mid-Air
An Aer Lingus transatlantic flight to Boston had to make an emergency U-turn after a 16-year-old girl was sexually assaulted onboard. The shocking attack happened while the plane was still over Irish airspace, forcing the pilot to divert back to Shannon Airport on November 15, 2023.
Farmer Admits Sexual Assault Charges
Patrick Noone, 58, a farmer from Curragh, County Galway, confessed to two counts of sexual assault at Ennis Circuit Court. The victim told the court Noone groped her buttocks, kissed her arm, and rubbed her thigh during the flight.
“Noone has no previous convictions,” said his lawyer, requesting a probation report to explore the motive behind the attack.
Judge Francis Comerford approved the request and ordered police to obtain a victim impact statement.
Quick-Thinking Cabin Crew Stop Horror Mid-Flight
The terrified teenager reported the assault to cabin crew just an hour into the flight. The captain took swift action, turning the plane around and heading back to Ireland, cutting the journey short.
Aer Lingus incurred roughly £24,000 in costs due to the emergency diversion.
Case Moves to Circuit Court as Witnesses Prepare to Testify
The case has been escalated to the circuit court where tougher penalties apply. Witnesses in the US—including the victim’s grandmother and two female passengers—are set to give evidence via video link.
The complainant, now 18 and studying at a US college, has had Noone’s identity publicly revealed for the first time after Judge Comerford refused reporting restrictions.
