A Chicago firefighter had to be handcuffed and strapped into an aircraft seat after becoming violent and abusive on a flight to Ireland, a Dublin court heard yesterday.
Mr John Tutor (37) pleaded guilty to disruptive behaviour and assault of a cabin crew member during the flight from Chicago to Ireland, where he was to join his Tipperary-born wife and two children for Christmas.
Mr Tutty's solicitor said his client was remorseful and blamed his behaviour on overwork and sleep deprivation, as well as the effects of alcohol consumed before the flight.
He was remanded in custody overnight and will reappear in Dublin District Court this morning to face sentencing.
Mr Tutor was one of 260 people on board the Aer Lingus flight, which left Chicago bound for Shannon on Saturday night, US time, the court heard. Half an hour into the journey, when the plane was over Canada, he became abusive, using foul language and making sexual references about other passengers.
When Aer Lingus staff intervened, Mr Tutor punched the cabin manager, Mr Gabriel Kenny. With the help of another crew member and a passenger, however, Mr Kenny eventually restrained him, using handcuffs and straps specially carried for such incidents.
A flight attendant spent the remainder of the flight sitting alongside Mr Tutor, who continued to be verbally abusive.
It is understood the pilot considered putting down at an airport in the US or Canada. But once Mr Tutor had been successfully restrained, the flight continued to Ireland, where he was taken off during a scheduled stop in Dublin. He was arrested by gardaí based at Dublin airport.
Mr Tutor was not served alcohol on the flight and was not visibly drunk when he boarded.
The court was told he had just completed a double shift at work to facilitate his departure for Ireland and had a few drinks to steady his nerves prior to the flight. His behaviour was "inexcusable," his solicitor said, and he wanted to apologise to Aer Lingus staff and to the gardaí.
There was initial confusion in the district court yesterday morning, when the question of jurisdiction was raised. But under the Air Navigation Act 1973, something which is an offence in the territory of the State is also an offence on an Irish flight in transit.
When Mr Tutor was recalled later in the afternoon, Mr Kenny was no longer present in court. Judge William Hammill said he wanted to hear direct evidence from flight staff before considering what penalties to impose. He refused bail, "having regard to the nature of the offence".
Mr Tutor, who appeared in court wearing a GAA jacket, slumped over when told he was being remanded in custody.
