American avoids jail term for three air rage incidents

A Texas businessman who “woke up handcuffed in utter terror” on board a transatlantic flight, with no idea that he was at the centre of an air rage incident, has been spared a jail term.

Judge John O’Neill ordered 40-year-old Houston businessman Stephen Herring to pay €500 to the Clare Crusaders’ Children’s Clinic after Mr Herring pleaded guilty to three air rage charges from Saturday.

Mr Herring pleaded guilty at Ennis District Court yesterday to engaging in behaviour likely to cause serious offence or annoyance to any person on board the aircraft; engaging in behaviour of a threatening, abusive, or insulting nature with intent to cause a breach of the peace; and being intoxicated on board the Shannon-bound United Airlines flight, contrary to the Air Navigation and Transport Act.