'A small number of sexual assaults' - Gardaí crack down on anti-social behaviour at Dublin Airport

Disruptive and criminal behavior at the airport, and on flights, has soared in recent years according to An Garda Síochána and the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).

Highlights in RTÉ's Crimecall this week, Gardaí have said they are finding news ways to tackle this behaviour that has impacted air travel across the world as the holiday season approaches. 

Several videos of passengers experiencing so called "air rage" have been widely shared on social media, from passengers having physical altercations with other passengers or cabin crew to passengers attempting to destroy and dismantle chairs and doors from aircrafts.

"The effect of disruption can be huge, particularly on other passengers who are travelling with families and young children", said Superintendent Darren McCarthy who said Gardaí are working with airport authorities and airlines in an effort to adopt a zero tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour.

"We work very closely with the airport authorities in Ireland and we have seen instances such as a male assaulting a female member of cabin crew who subsequently received a substantial fine and conviction, a male who assaulted a fellow passenger who then received a 3month suspended sentence and a five year flying ban and another male who urinated on the flight and then the flight had to be diverted - he received a fine of €10,000.

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"We've seen where people have missed flights, caused delays and you can imagine then , 35,000 ft in the air you have absolutely no where to go."

"Dublin airport is an extremely busy airport, the busiest in the country", said Garda Inspector Luke Lacey, "120,000 passengers on a daily basis presents a lot of challenges."

To aid with prosecutions, Gardaí have access to thousands of security cameras hovering Dublin Airport.

Inspector Lacey and his team at Dublin Airport Garda station check in daily with airlines and business to try and reduce unruly behaviour.

"Offences range from minor instances such as people vaping or smoking in aircrafts or it could escalate to people who are involved in assaults or verbal altercations with other Passengers or cabin crew.

"We have also had a small number of sexual assaults on aircrafts as well."

Inspector Lacey also said that while the number of incidents can be low, there impact can be huge. 

"We have had incidents where people have committed crimes in the airport , and they've gone away on their flight...but they're very surprised when they step off their return flight and are met by a member of the Gardaí.

"They think they've gotten away with it. So we do follow up every incident and every crime.

"Our priority at Dublin Airport Garda station is to secure the safety of all passengers moving through the airport along with all staff that are working here...we want to ensure that everyone is safe, we want everybody to have a positive experience travelling through the airport."

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Gardaí carry out standard patrols across Dublin Airport every day to ensure the safety all passengers and staff working there.

Garda Jenny lynch says they use previous experience when the airport is particularly busy, for example, when certain flights tend to be busier, or there have been previous disruptive passengers on board, they can keep an active presence in that area.

Garda Lynch also went on to say that situations can change daily, depending on missed or cancelled flights, passengers tend to gravitate towards the bar and can consume a lot of alcohol over an extended period of time, which can lead to problems and anti-social behaviour or abuse towards staff.

Superintendent Darren MCCarthy advises all passenger to avoid intoxication when travelling, report anything disruptive to staff members or Gardaí on patrol and also reminded travellers that all incidents will be investigated.