A 28-year-old American man has been fined €1,000 after a plane was forced to divert to Shannon Airport.
Limerick District Court has heard the diversion caused by barman Jody Bochner with an address in Miami, Florida, cost the airline 100,000 euro.
Garda Karen Walsh said the 28-year-old replied: "no I did not tell anyone when they brought me in", and , "I don't understand anything you say," when he was formally charged with three offences, including threatening and abusive behaviour, under the Air Navigation Act.
The Norwegian Air flight was 40 minutes in when cabin crew were alerted to smoke in one of the lavatories. An e-cigarette was taken from Jody Bochner and he was returned to his seat.
Around 20 minutes later Bochner became disruptive and used abusive language to cabin crew. Several passengers had to be moved due to his actions. He leapt onto a seat and attempted to strike a male crew member before being restrained and handcuffed, with the help of passengers.
Garda Walsh said the defendant was very aggressive when he disembarked around 6.15 last evening and he smelt of alcohol. However she acknowledged he was a totally different man this morning.
Defence solicitor Stiofan Fitzpatrick said the incident was extremely unfortunate and there was no rhyme nor reason to explaining his client's actions. He said his client was returning to America after visiting his girlfriend in London and had taken drink to help him sleep on the long flight.
Mr Fitzpatrick said the 28-year-old has no recollection of the incident and is anxious to return to the United States as he is the sole carer for his elderly grandparents.
The cost of the diversion amounted to around 100,000 euro.
Judge Aeneas McCarthy fined the 28-year-old 1,000 euro.
