This article is from page 16 of the 2014-11-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
A LIMERICK man who suffered a psychotic episode aboard an Aer Lingus f ight that was diverted to Shannon has had the charge struck out against him. No criminal conviction will be recorded against Blaine Lenihan (22).
Mr Lenihan, with an address at Puckane, Murroe, Limerick plead ed guilty in October to engaging in behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace on an Aer Lin gus f ight on June 8, 2014, contrary to the Air Transport and Navigation Act.
Blaine Lenihan (22), had to be re strained after becoming abusive to cabin crew and his brother during the f ight on June 8.
Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court gardaí in Shannon received a report that a passenger had to be restrained during a f ight from New York.
The court heard staff were forced to intervene after Mr Lenihan became “uncooperative” and “abusive”.
Despite efforts of cabin and crew to restrain the accused, the f ight, which was carrying 173 passengers, was forced to divert to Shannon at 5.45am.
Mr Lenihan has no previous con victions.
Defence solicitor John Casey said his client travelled to American to meet friends staying there on J1 vi sas.
“He took some form of drug and that led to a psychotic episode”, Mr Casey explained.
He told the court Mr Lenihan’s be haviour in America became totally irrational.
The court heard Mr Lenihan was arrested and spent three days in county jail. Mr Casey his client’s family were seriously concerned for his well be ing.
He said Mr Lenihan’s brother f ew to America to bring him home for treatment.
The court heard when Mr Lenihan returned to Ireland he was detained under the mental health act for six weeks.
Judge Patrick Durcan asked the ac cused to write a letter of apology to the captain and crew.
He said if Mr Lenihan also paid a sum of € 500 to the court box, he would consider dealing with the case in a manner that wouldn’t affect the accused’s good record.
Mr Lenihan was remanded on bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on November 19.
On Wednesday, Mr Casey told the court his client had written the let ters of apology and had the € 500 with him in court.
Judge Durcan said, “I strike it out on that basis”.