Two men who became abusive to cabin staff after being refused more drink aboard a transatlantic flight were fined yesterday at Dublin District Court.
Patrick Joseph Prendergast (39), of Surrey Court, Brighton, Massachusetts, and Darrell O'Brien (34), Haskell Street, Allston, also Massachusetts, were fined £400 and £200 respectively after admitting engaging in behaviour likely to cause annoyance to others aboard an aircraft, contrary to the Air Navigation and Transport Act.
Gardai told the court the men were on an Aer Lingus Boston-Dublin flight and for the first two hours were given drink. When cabin staff decided they had had enough and refused to give them more, they became aggressive and abusive, causing "general anxiety" among other passengers.
They were arrested when the aircraft landed at Dublin at 6.40 a.m yesterday. Their solicitor, Mr Terry Lyons, said they were travelling here for a three-week holiday and, while they had caused a serious nuisance, there had been no interference with the flying of the aircraft. They had apologised after sobering up.
Prendergast, who is originally from Ireland, has been living in the US for 20 years and is a self-employed painter. O'Brien, originally from Manchester, appeared in court on crutches with one of his legs in a cast. He has been out of work for some months after being injured in a car accident.
Judge Gerard Haughton said he believed cases of this nature should involve a conviction being recorded. "People who misbehave in this fashion on aircraft and frighten other passengers can be a source of considerable difficulties," he said.