Northern Ireland

Passenger charged after chasing missed plane to Amsterdam at Dublin Airport

Patrick Kehoe leaves the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin after being charged with criminal damage after chasing a plane at an airport after missing his flight 
Patrick Kehoe leaves the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin after being charged with criminal damage after chasing a plane at an airport after missing his flight  Patrick Kehoe leaves the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin after being charged with criminal damage after chasing a plane at an airport after missing his flight 

A man has appeared in court charged with criminal damage after allegedly chasing a plane at Dublin airport because he had missed his flight.

Patrick Kehoe was arrested on Thursday morning after witnesses saw a man tackled to the ground after shouting "wait" at the Ryanair flight as it taxied to the runway.

Dublin's Criminal Courts of Justice heard how the 23-year-old from Raheenaskeagh, Oulart, Co Wexford, allegedly broke through a magnetic door lock at Gate 106.

He was released on bail following a brief appearance and is to appear again on November 8 for direction on the criminal damage charge.

After leaving court, Kehoe covered his face with a folder and shouted abuse and insults at waiting journalists.

He swung his suitcase a number of times at the small crowd and made several attempts to run at them.

As he walked through Dublin's historic Phoenix Park, he lowered his trousers and exposed his backside.

Before the hearing, witnesses said that after talking to staff at the gate, a man broke through the door and began running towards the plane and was heard shouting "wait" as the plane taxied to the runway.

He was tackled to the ground by airport staff and the flight was momentarily delayed.

An airport spokeswoman said: "He was banging on the window to try and get the aircraft to wait and he then broke through a door and made his way on to the apron, trying to flag the aircraft down.

"He was initially restrained by Ryanair staff on the apron, and airport police, who had already been contacted, arrived on the scene almost immediately and arrested him."