A Dutch national (44) has been charged at Shannon District Court in Ennis today with causing a mid-air bomb scare on board a transatlantic aircraft.
Jorge Flores was charged with stating he had a bomb on board an Aruba bound Boeing 767 flight with 231 passengers on board from Amsterdam yesterday.
In response to the alleged bomb scare, the captain of the chartered holiday flight diverted to Shannon airport and landed at 10.30am, where Mr Flores was arrested by local Gardaí.
Mr Flores spent last night in Garda custody on the charge contrary to Section 43 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1988. Mr Flores is also accused of knowingly making a false alarm on the flight by stating he had a bomb.
Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Garda James Quigley of Shannon Garda station told the court Mr Flores made no reply when charged and cautioned.
In court, Insp Tom Kennedy said that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) is to consider the case further and determine if further charges may result.
Applying that Mr Flores be remanded in custody to Ennis District Court tomorrow, Insp Kennedy said the remand would allow gardaí further time to inquire about Mr Flores with the Dutch authorities.
Judge Mangan granted legal aid to Mr Flores and his solicitor, Jenny Fitzgibbon, said that she would be reserving her position about bail to Ennis District Court tomorrow.
Judge Mangan remanded Mr Flores in custody to reappear before the court tomorrow.
Mr Flores was travelling by himself to the Caribbean island of Aruba off the coast of Venezuela on the flight operated by charter firm Arkefly.
