This article is from page 14 of the 2013-08-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
A NEW York woman who spat at a flight on attendant on a transatlantic flight has been ordered to pay a fine of € 500.
The captain of a Delta Airlines flight was forced to divert the plane to Shannon Airport last week after passenger Marianne Thatcher (30) became difficult and aggressive, Ennis District Court was told on Thursday.
Ms Thatcher, with an address at 1257 Park Avenue, Apartment 3, New York City, pleaded guilty to three charges arising out of a drink fuelled incident aboard a Delta Airlines flight in the early hours of August 1.
She pleaded guilty to engaging in behaviour likely to cause annoyance or offence to any person on board the aircraft; being intoxicated to such an extent that might endanger herself or persons on board; engaging in behaviour of threatening and or abusive nature with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.
All offences are contrary to the Air Navigation and Transport Act.
The court heard that Ms Thatcher came to the attention of flight attendants four hours into the flight from New York’s JKF Airport to Athens.
The court heard that Ms Thatcher was drinking wine and became abusive towards staff.
Inspector Tom Kennedy said flight attendants offered Ms Thatcher a glass of water and some food.
“Ms Thatcher reacted badly and effectively demanded more wine,” he added.
The court heard Ms Thatcher was brought to a vacant seat at the rear of the plane.
Insp Kennedy said she spat at a flight attendant after being asked to sit down. She was restrained using plastic handcuffs.
He added, “The State will say she was intoxicated. Her behaviour was very aggressive.”
He said the episode lasted 30 minutes.
A total of 270 passengers and 13 crew were on board at the time.
The court heard the captain made the decision to divert to Shannon when the plane was 250km off the Irish coast.
Ms Thatcher was met by gardai at Shannon Airport and placed into custody. She has no previous convictions.
The court heard Ms Thatcher, who holds dual American and Greek citizenship, comes from a respected family and studied liberal arts and ceramics in college.
She previously worked in a Paris art gallery but returned to New York to care for her sick father.
Defence solicitor Catriona Carmody said her client suffered from depression and developed problems with alcohol following her father’s death.
She said Ms Thatcher was “terrified” to be in court.
Ms Carmody said her client had a drink at the airport and a few more on the plane and doesn’t remember anything about the incident on the flight..
“She is incredibly embarrassed about what happened.
“She feels she has brought terrible shame on herself and her family,” Ms Carmody added.
Passing sentence, Judge Aeneas McCarthy said passengers had been very much inconvenienced by Ms Thatcher’s behaviour.
“This is a clearly a serious matter. This airplane had to be diverted,” he added.
He imposed a € 500 fine with one month to pay and 10 days in prison in default.
Ms Carmody said the fine would be paid within 24 hours.
Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal.