This article is from page 10 of the 2005-09-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
A 42-YEAR-OLD Dutch profes- sional musician involved in an air-rage incident on a Ryanair flight into Shannon has_ been fined €1,000.
Harry Gustaaf from Nymegen in Holland pleaded guilty to be- ing drunk and a danger to him- self or others, on board a Ryanair Dusseldorf-Shannon flight on Saturday, September 3.
Mr Gustaaf also pleaded guilty to offensive behaviour, despite been asked by a crew member to desist. Inspector Tom Kennedy told the Shannon District Court that the State was withdrawing the summons charging Mr Gus- taaf with engaging in threaten-
ing, abusive and insulting nature with intent to cause a breach of the peace.
Garda Brian McCarthy told the court that on charging Mr Gus- taaf, the accused said: “I took a plane from Germany to Ireland.
““T had a few drinks and didn’t hassle anyone.”
According to a statement from Ryanair air hostess, Elizabeth Lynch, Mr Gustaaf had become ageressive on board, punch- ing the headrest in front of him, making advances towards the exit and swearing at her, when he was asked to sit down during the flight.
Defending solicitor Catriona Carmody said Mr Gustaaf was a professional musician with the Royal Symphonic Orchestra in
Holland and had been involved in establishing a shelter for the homeless and prostitutes in Hol- land.
She said he had no previous convictions and the incident was completely out of character.
She said the flight had been de- layed and the accused had a few drinks in the airport while wait- ing.
He was travelling to Ireland to visit his mother in Mayo and he didn’t remember the full extent of the incident.
“He is extremely embarrassed and very worried over what hap- pened and apologises profusely for his actions,” she said.
Judge Joseph Mangan imposed fines of €500 for each of the two summonses, payable forthwith.