Latest news with #PaulCleary
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
Disruptive air passengers warned of zero tolerance as almost 500,000 to pass through Dublin Airport this weekend
It comes as there has been a continued rise in industry reports of unruly behaviour to the Irish Aviation Authority, although the majority of passengers travel responsibly. This trend has seen year-on-year increases as airlines have encouraged crews to increase the reporting of unruly behaviour. More than 30 incidents have already been reported to Dublin Airport Garda station so far this year, which represents an almost 80pc increase compared to the entirety of 2024. The three most common incidents this year have been offensive behaviour onboard aircraft, obstructing or assaulting an authorised officer and being intoxicated onboard an aircraft. Last year also saw a 50pc increase in incidents of disruptive passenger behaviour reported to gardaí at Dublin Airport, compared to 2023. The aviation industry has renewed its shared commitment to tackle disruptive passenger behaviour through the ongoing #NotOnMyFlight campaign. The initiative, which was launched last year, is receiving growing support from aviation and public sector partners. It aims to ensure passengers are aware of the serious consequences of unruly behaviour, as well as supporting airport and airline staff through training and policy, or facilitating enforcement, like bans and prosecutions, where necessary. Since last year, the campaign has expanded to include Ireland's largest aviation union, Fórsa, and the Irish Airline Pilots' Association (IALPA), both of whom have formally signed the industry's joint declaration on unruly passenger behaviour. Jim Gavin, Chief Operations Officer of the Irish Aviation Authority, said: 'The #NotOnMyFlight campaign continues to reflect our strong commitment to supporting frontline airport staff, flight and cabin crew, and to safeguarding passengers by making it clear that unruly passenger behaviour will not be tolerated. "As we head into one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, we're reminding all passengers travelling through Irish airports that respectful behaviour is not just expected - it's essential to ensuring a safe and positive flying experience for everyone,' he added. Paul Cleary, Assistant Commissioner in the Dublin Metropolitan Region of An Garda Síochána, said there is 'no excuse for anti-social or disruptive behaviour'. 'Incidents of unruly conduct in airports and on planes can have serious consequences for both passengers and staff. It can be a frightening experience that endangers passengers and crew, while it can also mean delayed flights and missed connections,' he said. 'Over the past year, we have been working with our aviation partners under a joint declaration to address disruptive and dangerous behaviour, and we remain very committed to that. "While the majority of people travel respectfully, An Garda Síochána is prepared to act where necessary to ensure a safe and secure environment for all who travel through our airports,' he added. Fórsa's National Secretary, Katie Morgan, said that 'our members in airlines and airports are often the first responders to unruly passenger behaviour'. "As a trade union, the potential risk of unruly passenger behaviour to the health and safety of our members is a crucial matter of concern,' she said. 'We've seen first-hand the effect that some unruly passenger behaviour has had on our members. "Aviation workers have a right to a safe working environment and to be treated with dignity and respect. "They prioritise the travelling public's safety, and this campaign helps prioritise their safety,' she added. It comes as almost half a million passengers are expected to pass through Dublin Airport this June bank holiday weekend. The airport is expecting more than 115,000 passengers every day between Friday and Monday, with a total of 480,000 set to pass through both terminals. This four-day period will see close to 250,000 passengers departing from Dublin Airport, with around 230,000 passengers arriving, including thousands of tourists from across the world. The busiest day over the weekend will be tomorrow, Friday, May 30, when almost 124,000 passengers are expected to travel through the airport. Therefore, passengers are advised to arrive at their terminal two hours in advance of a short-haul flight and three hours before a long-haul flight. Dublin Airport spokesperson, Graeme McQueen, said this June bank holiday is set to break some records. "The peak tourism season is here and demand to travel this summer is really high, with this set to be the busiest June bank holiday ever at Dublin Airport,' he said. 'Indeed, the numbers travelling this weekend - and over the summer - would be even higher if it weren't for the passenger cap on Dublin Airport which continues to put off airlines from bringing new and additional routes to Ireland, denying the Irish hospitality sector of important tourism revenue,' he added.
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- RTÉ News
Marked increase in disruptive behaviour at Dublin Airport
There has been an 80% increase in incidents of disruptive passenger behaviour reported at Dublin Airport so far this year compared to the entire number of incidents recorded in 2024, according to figures from the Irish Aviation Authority. As the airport prepares for its busiest weekend ever, the aviation industry has launched a campaign to address disruptive behaviour. In the first five months of this year Dublin Airport garda station has dealt with more than 30 incidents of disruptive passenger behaviour. That figure is up 80% on the total number of incidents recorded in 2024 and those figures were also up 50% on 2023. Offensive behaviour, obstruction or assaults on an authorised officer and people intoxicated onboard aircraft have been the most common issues this year. With more than half a million passengers due to travel through Dublin Airport this weekend, the airline industry has come together to promote an awareness campaign called #Notonmyflight. Garda Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region Paul Cleary warned these incidents endanger passengers and crew and can also result in delayed flights and missed connections. "There is no excuse for anti-social or disruptive behaviour. "Over the past year we have been working with our aviation partners under a joint declaration to address disruptive and dangerous behaviour, and we remain very committed to that. "While the majority of people travel respectfully, An Garda Síochána is prepared to act where necessary to ensure a safe and secure environment for all who travel through our airports." Trade union Fórsa's national secretary, Katie Morgan, said unruly passenger behaviour is a crucial health and safety concern for its members. "We've seen first-hand the effect that some unruly passenger behaviour has had on our members. "Aviation workers have a right to a safe working environment and to be treated with dignity and respect.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Warwickshire power plant bosses concerned as subsidy cuts loom
Bosses of a biogas power plant in Warwickshire say they are worried about its future after the government revealed subsidies for the industry are to be Landfill Gas Project, near Rugby, traps methane from rotting organic rubbish in landfill and uses it to generate green Rice, managing director of Melton CLP - which runs the site - said that when the renewable energy subsidy is withdrawn in 2027, it will force 87% of sites like this plant to "close overnight".The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said it was exploring options to support the sector meeting net zero targets as well as addressing the interests of bill-payers. "Electricity produced from landfill gas generators plays an important role in increasing our energy security, while turning off the tap of future methane emissions and helping deliver net zero," it CLP also runs 18 other sites across the country, and said the gas they capture would power about 10,000 homes for a year. "Not only would you lose the benefit of the renewable energy that comes from them, but also you'd see an increase in methane emissions across the UK," said Mr Rice. Paul Cleary, who owns the plant near Rugby, explained that he and his team mine for pockets of methane emitting from the is generated by a number of things, including garden waste, kitchen scraps and gas is extracted and used to power large engines that, in turn, generate green told the BBC the plant's work was important."If we weren't here and you had the waste inside a landfill site, the methane would build in pressure and it would start to smell," he said."It would obviously create environment issues if no-one was here doing what we do." Outside the industry, others are also Hardy, head of research at environmental charity Green Alliance, said the UK was signed up to several treaties promising to reduce methane emissions, and this industry was a vital part of doing told the BBC that if the industry collapsed because of the move by the government, it would be a "disaster" for climate change."Because it's also really short-lived in the atmosphere, actually tackling methane emissions can have an immediate effect," he said."We should be thinking of action on methane as the emergency brake on climate change." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Sunday World
08-05-2025
- Sunday World
Two men (20s) charged following €460k drugs seizure in Swords, Co Dublin
Both men are due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ No 2) later this afternoon. Two men have been charged following the seizure of approximately €460,000 of cannabis herb at a residence in Swords, Co. Dublin yesterday. Both men, aged in their 20s, are due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ No 2) later this afternoon. Gardaí attached to the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT) seized the cannabis and arrested both men following the search carried out under warrant shortly after 7pm. 'A total of 46 packages of vacuum-sealed cannabis herb, with an estimated street value of €460,000 (pending analysis) was discovered and seized by gardaí,' a Garda spokesperson said earlier. 'Two men aged in their 20s were arrested at the scene and are currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 at Garda stations in the DMR North.' Gardai said the seized drugs will be subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) as investigations are ongoing. Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary, Dublin Region (DMR) said that targeting those 'who sell drugs in our communities remains a top priority for An Garda Síochána'. 'Drug dealing causes fear, harm and intimidation in our communities,' Assistant Commissioner Cleary said. 'Yesterday's operation demonstrates my strong commitment to targeting those who cause fear and harm in our communities through their drug dealing activities.' The drugs seized in Swords yesterday News in 90 seconds - 8th May 2025
Irish Independent
08-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Gardaí arrest two men (20s) following seizure of cannabis worth €460k in Dublin raid
Gardaí attached to the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT) seized the cannabis and arrested both men following the search carried out under warrant shortly after 7pm. 'A total of 46 packages of vacuum-sealed cannabis herb, with an estimated street value of €460,000 (pending analysis) was discovered and seized by gardaí,' a Garda spokesperson said. 'Two men aged in their 20s were arrested at the scene and are currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 at Garda stations in the DMR North.' Gardaí said the seized drugs will be subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) as investigations are ongoing. Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary, Dublin Region (DMR) said that targeting those 'who sell drugs in our communities remains a top priority for An Garda Síochána'. 'Drug dealing causes fear, harm and intimidation in our communities,' Assistant Commissioner Cleary said. 'Yesterday's operation demonstrates my strong commitment to targeting those who cause fear and harm in our communities through their drug dealing activities.'
