A man who made a hoax call to Dublin Airport warning there were guns and bombs on a flight to Leeds has been ordered to carry out 150 hours community service by Judge Elizabeth Dunne at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Anthony O Dubhgaille made his hoax call as a result of an earlier drunken encounter in a pub with a number of English tourists who claimed they belonged to the SAS.
O Dubhgaille (43), of York Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty to a charge of knowingly making a false report intending to give rise to apprehension for the safety of persons or property on April 6th, 1997.
The court heard he had 11 previous convictions dating back to 1971, mainly for larceny.
Judge Dunne directed that he serve 18 months' imprisonment if he failed to carry out the community service. He is also to remain under probation supervision and continue counselling for his alcohol problem.
Det Sgt John Doyle told Mr Brendan Grehan BL, prosecuting, that O Dubhgaille told gardai that he was insulted by the Englishmen who were drinking at the time and one word led to another until O Dubhgaille sought revenge. He had ascertained from the conversation between the tourists that they were due to return to Leeds, England on a flight that afternoon.
Det Sgt Doyle said when Garda units were dispatched to Dublin Airport the plane had already departed for the Leeds.
The call caused a security alert at Leeds.
The hoax call was traced back to Avalon House youth hostel on Aungier Street, Dublin, where O Dubhgaille was arrested.