A judge has stated that the sentencing of Galway farmer and self styled Celtic Healer and Fairy Whisperer, Patrick Noone (59 ) for the sexual assault of a 16-year girl on board a transatlantic Aer Lingus flight “should be heard as soon as possible”.
At Ennis Circuit Court last week, Judge Francis Comerford made his comment after telling the court that the Probation Service has indicated that a report into Mr Noone for sentencing won’t be ready for 12 weeks.
In February, Mr Noone of Curragh, Kilconnell, Ballinasloe, Co Galway pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of a then 16 year old girl on board a transatlantic Aer Lingus flight bound for Boston on November 15th 2023.
As a result of cabin crew informing the captain of the Aer Lingus flight that a male passenger had allegedly inappropriately touched a teenage girl sitting beside him on the flight, the captain turned the Boston bound plane around and journeyed back to Shannon airport.
In court in February, counsel for Mr Noone, Antoinette Simon BL asked for a Probation Report on her client for the sentencing hearing, as she said, it may provide insight into his offending.
In court today, counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL said: “We do have certain concerns that it wouldn’t drag on too long” after hearing that sentencing is being delayed due to the estimated 12 week wait for the Probation Report.
Ms Comerford (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey ) said that the State has the victim impact statement from the complainant who has now turned 18.
Ms Comerford said that the complainant was aged 16 at the time of the offences “so there is some degree of priority”.
Referring to the anticipated 12 week wait for the Probation Report, Judge Comerford said: “I don’t think I can do much about that.”
In reply, Ms Comerford said: “I don’t think you can either. I thought I would put it on the record.”
Judge Comerford had adjourned the case to today to fix a date for sentence and Mr Noone was excused from attending but he did attend in court today.
Judge Comerford said that “these are matters that should be heard as soon as possible” and further adjourned the case to May 1st to fix a date for sentence.
In the case, Mr Noone pleaded guilty in February when arraigned on two counts of sexual assault contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape ) Amendment Act on November 15th 2023.
In the case, Mr Noone has pleaded guilty to sexual assault of the girl by rubbing and grabbing her buttocks on board the E1 135 Aer Lingus flight within the jurisdiction of the Irish State.
Mr Noone – who has no previous convictions – also pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of the girl by kissing her arm and rubbing her thigh on the flight.
Mr Noone is well-known in the spiritual and healing world, described on his website as “a renowned Celtic healer”.
Ms Comerford previously told Judge Comerford that there is no connection between Mr Noone and the injured party.
Ms Comerford told the court in February that the guilty plea was of some assistance as arrangements had been made for the US based witnesses to provide their evidence via video-link for the trial.
In December, Judge Comerford had granted permission for four State witnesses to give evidence via video link from the US in the trial.
Ms Comerford told the court in December that one of the four to give evidence via video-link is the complainant in the case.
Ms Comerford said that the complainant is currently studying in a US college.
When the case was before the district court, Judge Alec Gabbett transferred the case to the circuit court where more serious penalties apply on conviction after hearing an outline of the case against Mr Noone.
Det Garda Ruth O’Sullivan told the district court previously that the costs to Aer Lingus of returning the Boston bound aircraft to Shannon is €28,213.
Giving an outline of the alleged sexual assaults, Det Garda O’Sullivan said that an hour into the transatlantic flight at around 3.30pm, a young girl informed cabin crew that a male passenger sitting beside her had touched her inappropriately.
Det Garda O’Sullivan said: “They then informed the captain who took a decision to turn the flight back to Shannon.”
She said that the young girl and her family returned to Shannon airport where statements were obtained in the short turnaround before they took off again for the US.
Judge Comerford further remanded Mr Noone on continuing bail to May 1st at Ennis Circuit Court.
