Man jailed as he smashes through Ryanair computers and throws glasses in terrifying airport rampage
Lithuanian construction worker Lukas Kaunietis, 29, caused nearly $12,000 in damage at Dublin Airport after missing his St. Patrick’s Day flight
Danny De Vaal Reporter and Myriam Toua
03:24 ET, 25 Nov 2025
Kaunietis caused nearly $12,000 worth of damage
A man caused nearly $12,000 worth of damage at Dublin Airport after he missed his flight. Lithuanian construction worker Lukas Kaunietis was sentenced to a year behind bars on Monday for the destructive outburst on St Patrick’s Day. The 29 year old arrived at the gate at 7am – but it had already closed and he had missed his departure.
Kaunietis then proceeded to tamper with and open a computer while rummaging through items at the gate. He also grabbed glasses from barrel tables at the nearby bar, hurling them to the ground, then seized a metal barrier post, which he also launched onto the floor.
But his destructive spree didn’t end there; he continued destroying more computers and equipment used for weighing luggage. He also sent one barrel rolling down a walkway, then grabbed another one and hoisted it above his head, reports the Irish Mirror.
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Airport personnel tried to communicate with Kaunietis multiple times. During one attempt, they questioned him “Do you realise what you did here?” He responded: “Whatever.”
The rampage took place on March 17 in Dublin airport
Video of his destructive rampage was posted to social media and rapidly became viral.
During a sentencing hearing earlier today, the court was told that airport personnel eventually succeeded in calming him down and he cooperated when taken into custody by gardai.
Images from CCTV footage were presented to the court. The court also learned that over €9,452 in damage was inflicted on property owned by the airport and Ryanair.
Kaunietis has no prior criminal record and submitted an early guilty plea. He has remained in custody since March 17.
Lukas Kaunietis was jailed for a year, and plans to return to Lithuania after his release
Garda Mullins concurred with Luigi Rea BL, defending, that his client plans to return to Lithuania upon his release from custody.
Mr. Rea expressed that his client is deeply regretful of his actions.
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His client, a construction worker, had been working in Belfast for six weeks prior to this incident and was scheduled to depart.
Judge Martin Nolan observed that Kaunietis arrived late for his flight, which “upset him”.
“He lost control and caused significant criminal damage” and “caused a considerable amount of difficulty and inconvenience,” the judge stated.
He noted Kaunietis “wants to go home” and sentenced him to one year in prison, backdated to March 17 last.
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