A second man has pleaded not guilty and will appear before a District Court jury accused of illegally using a drone to disrupt Dublin Airport, reports Breaking News.
Ainis Guzauskus (41) is charged with an offence under section three of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1975 of unlawfully and intentionally interfering with the operation of an air navigation facility at Dublin Airport by flying a DJI Mavic mini 2 drone on 2 July 2022.
The father-of-two son of Ridgewood Close, Swords, Dublin, appeared before Michele Finan at Dublin District Court on Friday to enter his appeal.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) ordered a “trial on indictment”, so if the case was contested, Mr Guzauskus would face a jury trial in the District Court with wider sentencing powers.
However, the DPP agreed to leave the case in the District Court “on a plea of guilty”, reports Breaking News.
Defence attorney Tracy Horan confirmed that Guzauskus “pleads not guilty.”
Judge Finan recorded his decision and adjourned the case until November for the DPP to prepare a book of evidence which must be served on the accused before the District Court issues a trial order.
Mr. Guzauskus was remanded in custody on condition that he continue to be released on bail, reports Breaking News.
He was ordered to go to the airport only if he had a valid ticket, while other bail conditions included a ban on flying drones, a ban on applying for a new passport, no contact by phone and a ban on asking to leave the state without court permission.
The court assumed that the accused had been living in Ireland for 14 years and did not need a translator. Mr Guzauskus is employed full-time but was entitled to legal aid.
In unrelated criminal proceedings, Eric Brills (50) of Holywell Dale, Swords, Dublin, is charged with unlawfully and willfully interfering with the operation of air navigation facilities at Dublin Airport by operating a drone in a critical area of 300 meters on January 24. at Naul Road, Cloghran, Co Dublin, as such action may interfere with the safety of aircraft in flight, reports Breaking News.
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