Man accused of flashing laser at Garda helicopter.

Run_to_da_hills

It was only a matter of time before someone would be brought up for this dangerous practice. Being a Garda Helicopter of all things would have made it an easy job to pinpoint the culprit's location. It would be interesting to see if they will make an example of him.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0705/1224300090963.html

LLU

and the genius was caught because he was shining the beam from his own back garden! Guess these laser slingers are not the cleverest of people!

cyrusdvirus

Reading the article it seems to be a case of the 'Drunken Stupids' rather than any malicious intent.

Having said that, the drink driver who ploughs into a bus queue and kills 5 people is also having a case of the 'Drunken Stupids' so don't think for a second that I'm thinking this lad should get away with it.

If it's true that he has co-operated with the investigation he won't get jail time though

seamus

6 month suspended sentence, €1,000 fine would seem reasonable for that IMO. Probably a bit silly to not plead not guilty though since he has apologised and admitted that he was the one shining the laser.

Mountjoy Mugger

He was unaware of the harmful effect....right!

xflyer

He needs to be made an example of. I had someone across the road flash a laser at me once. It is painful. I can only imagine the effect in a helicopter. Throw the book at him. He knew exactly the effect it would have.

tippilot

I've been on the receiving end on a number of occasions. One particular incident from a Co Louth town we were at about 19,000 feet which was unusual because they are usually aimed at aircraft closer to the ground. I was unfortunate enough to look at it at the wrong second. It actually inflicted pain for a few minutes.

They are dangerous. In many places a laser will automatically result i a scramble of a police helicopter to locate the culprit. I've seen that happen in Dublin. This wont be the only court case we see.

Whatever sob story the guy presents, the only good outcome is jail time. In the UK it is an automatic 3 months. Rightly.

Run_to_da_hills

Why can't they ban these things altogether or at least make them available under license. The only people that I could see justified in carrying them are lecturers and hunters.

sdanseo

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Why can't they ban these things altogether or at least make them available under license. The only people that I could see justified in carrying them are lecturers and hunters.

There's different types. Mild red lasers with a very low output work fine for presentations, weapon targeting, and messing about - but it's the more powerful green lasers that are causing these incidents making the news. They should certainly be totally banned because there's absolutely no reason anyone outside of the military would need such a powerful laser.

I agree this idiot needs to be made an example of, and jail time is the only thing that will send out a message. A month or three in mountjoy will be short enough that he hopefully won't get hooked on anything but will send out a message nonetheless that this behaviour simply isn't acceptable.

cyrusdvirus

and he's been cleared....


http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0705/gaffneya.html

Run_to_da_hills

He got away very lightly going by these reports from around the world.

http://www.laserpointersafety.com/news/news/aviation-incidents.php

clown2brown

That's absolutely ridiculous, I actually can't believe that he got away scot-free. It is an understatement to say that this won't happen again not only to Irish Air Corps aircraft but even civilian helicopters and coast guard machines. The laser is the only weapon any joe soap can get hold of to disable any 'annoying' aircraft that might be disrupting his quiet nights sleep :mad:

scudzilla

sdeire wrote: »

There's different types. Mild red lasers with a very low output work fine for presentations, weapon targeting, and messing about - but it's the more powerful green lasers that are causing these incidents making the news. They should certainly be totally banned because there's absolutely no reason anyone outside of the military would need such a powerful laser.

I've 2 lasers, one Green that is very bright, but the strongest one i have is a little red one.

Can be visibly seen from over 10 miles away, can light matches and burn through paper, that would cause some damage if shined into a pilot's eyes.

I'd never do it of course, i just use it for messin about with, am pretty addicted to all sorts of mad gadgets

Run_to_da_hills

scudzilla wrote: »

I've 2 lasers, one Green that is very bright, but the strongest one i have is a little red one.

Can be visibly seen from over 10 miles away, can light matches and burn through paper, that would cause some damage if shined into a pilot's eyes.

I'd never do it of course, i just use it for messin about with, am pretty addicted to all sorts of mad gadgets

The red one sounds like a Class 4. They could easily whip the eye out of someone.

scudzilla

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

The red one sounds like a Class 4. They could easily whip the eye out of someone.

I dunno, but it's pretty powerful, below is a youtube vid that i just this minute made.


Didn't wanna set it on fire as fire alarms woulda gone off, but ya can see what i mean about being strong.

If i can get one of these pretty easily, and i consider myself very responsible, then any scumbag can get one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC-gWNefiGg

Run_to_da_hills

scudzilla wrote: »

I dunno, but it's pretty powerful, below is a youtube vid that i just this minute made.


Didn't wanna set it on fire as fire alarms woulda gone off, but ya can see what i mean about being strong.

If i can get one of these pretty easily, and i consider myself very responsible, then any scumbag can get one.

That's a class 3B laser you have, its one step below the Class 4. You would still would want to handle it with caution.

This is a class 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1IAvoPQPYY&feature=related

flame123

These laser incidents are now happening at least once a week on aircrat on approach to Dublin. Latest was last night ( 4th July ) on an Air Contractors B737 , I think around 2300L

I guess nothing serious will be done until something serious happens.. judging by the fact that the imbecile mentioned earlier walked free

globemaster1986

It sounds like he was very apologetic however I have been on the receiving end of a laser while on the downwind and was completely blinded for 10 seconds or more, ended up having to turn away!! (I would just like to say this happened in the US not Ireland but was reported). Any idiot who points one of these at an aircraft deserves locking up, and if they cannot see/understand how it would be dangerous to aircraft or motorists they need locking up from themselves as they are clearly too thick to be allowed any form of independence or to reproduce!:D

Rawhead

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

That's a class 3B laser you have, its one step below the Class 4. You would still would want to handle it with caution.

This is a class 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1IAvoPQPYY&feature=related

Why would anyone apart from a scientist or bond villain need one of those class 4 lasers. I like gadgets myself but that stuff can only lead to someone losing an eye, quiet literally.

tricky D

Absurd judgement. He had not acted intentionally but wrecklessly and was unaware of the of the harmful effect his actions could have. Utter rubbish!

Run_to_da_hills

FAA flight simulator showing distraction where the light does not obscure vision but can distract the pilot. Light intensity 0.5 μW/cm²; for example, a legal 5 mW laser pointer at 3,700 feet (1,130 m).



FAA flight simulator showing veiling glare where it is hard to see through the light to the background scene. Light level 5.0 μW/cm²; for example, a legal 5 mW laser pointer at 1,200 feet (365 m).



blindness where the image takes from a few seconds to a few minutes to fade away, depending on how much light entered the eye. Light level 50 μW/cm²; for example, a legal 5 mW laser pointer at 350 feet (107 m).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasers_and_aviation_safety

Jagle

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Why can't they ban these things altogether or at least make them available under license.

cos everything thats banned doesnt get into the country:rolleyes:

Ilyushin76

Here is a video off a laser attach from the cockpit of a Russian airliner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf_Y7EgZpJY

Jammyc

Happened to the Coast Guard helicopter last Wednesday night while on a mission at Bray Head. What would put the idea in someone's head?

cocoshovel

My brother brought back one from Thailand and gave it to my little brother as a present. Of course my mother took it off him and gave it to me . Its a green class 3 wow does it shine far and very strong. I would never ever point it at an aircraft or person though. I can see how bad they would actually be to get blinded by.
I'm surprised they are actually legal, I mean what legitimate use could someone get out of these?

Also, I heard it on Dublin atc a while back, every aircraft that was coming in to land reported being flashed by it. Is there anything that is done by the gardai when this is reported?