A computer science graduate who clashed with Ryanair boarding staff before assaulting a Dublin Airport police officer and striking a garda has avoided a prison sentence.
Shine Thomas, 47, an Indian national living in Old Kilmainham, Dublin 8, denied obstructing an authorised officer and engaging in violent behaviour after his arrest on 20 August last year, reports Breaking News.
However, the married father of two was convicted in January at Dublin District Court by Judge John Hughes, who criticised his “ignorance, rudeness and violence”.
The judge had requested a probation report and directed Thomas to complete an anger-management course, reports Breaking News.
Finalising the case on Tuesday, Judge Hughes imposed a €500 fine, to be paid within six months.
The court heard that Thomas was travelling with his family to London for a holiday when he failed to follow boarding procedures and became uncooperative, reports Breaking News.
Some of the incidents unfolded in front of children, the court was told.
Dublin Airport Police officer Dean Farrell said he had been informed by Ryanair staff that Thomas had not completed the boarding process at Terminal 1 and had proceeded to the aircraft without permission, reports Breaking News.
Officer Farrell said he attempted to “de-escalate” the situation at the aircraft stairs, but Thomas pushed him.
By that point, Thomas had been denied boarding and had to be restrained and handcuffed before being transported to a local Garda station, reports Breaking News.
Garda Declan Ryan told the court that Thomas refused to exit the vehicle and “it took six members to physically carry him into the station”, reports Breaking News.
He lay face down on the floor, but the officer said he appeared to be breathing normally and showed no signs of distress.
Thomas, who has lived in Ireland for a decade, was then placed in a holding cell, reports Breaking News.
“At this juncture, as I was removing his handcuffs, I was struck by him,” Garda Ryan said, reports Breaking News.
He added that a doctor later examined Thomas and found no injuries, and that his wife was contacted and attended the station, although “there was very little conversation”.
Thomas refused to sign a bail bond and remained in custody until he appeared in court, where he was subsequently released, reports Breaking News.
During proceedings, Thomas initially claimed he had suffered broken ribs and had documentation to support this, but it later emerged that no such medical evidence was available.
Thomas, who had no previous convictions, said he was a frequent traveller familiar with airport procedures and believed airline staff should not have placed his passport on the desk, reports Breaking News.
Garda Ryan responded that there was no risk of the passport being lost or taken.
Thomas also claimed he had not been asked for his details at the station, a claim disputed by Garda Ryan, who said it is standard procedure upon arrest, reports Breaking News.
The defence argued that Thomas was entitled to resist what it described as a lawful arrest.
However, Judge Hughes said CCTV footage clearly showed Thomas causing disruption, refusing to cooperate with staff, and behaving in a bullying manner, reports Breaking News.
After his conviction, Thomas apologised and said he had been unable to work due to injuries.
His barrister, Paul Larkin Coyle, described him as highly intelligent and holding a postgraduate qualification, reports Breaking News.
Judge Hughes said Thomas had not demonstrated much intelligence on the day and described his behaviour towards staff dealing with large volumes of passengers as “outrageous, wrong and criminal”.
He also noted that a criminal conviction could have consequences for Thomas’s visa status, reports Breaking News.
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