Airline coy on flying arrested man home

An airline has refused to confirm whether it will fly a man arrested on one its flights last week back to the US tomorrow.

Texan businessman Stephen Herring avoided a prison sentence and had charges against him struck out in court on condition that he make a contribution to a local charity.

The 40-year-old had to be handcuffed and restrained by crew members on a United Airlines flight from Newark to Shannon last Saturday.

When the flight landed at Shannon, he was handed over to gardaí and taken to Shannon Garda Station for questioning.

He was later released on station bail and appeared in court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to engaging in behaviour likely to cause serious offence or annoyance.

Herring also admitted to engaging in behaviour of a threatening, abusive, or insulting nature, and with being intoxicated on board the flight.

The court heard that Herring blacked out after he mixed a sleeping tablet with alcohol and could remember nothing of the incident.

Judge John O’Neill described Herring’s behaviour as “obnoxious”, but said he would strike out the charges if Mr Herring agreed to donate €500 to a local charity.

The judge said: “The fact that he was a nervous flyer and took tablets doesn’t excuse his behaviour. I wouldn’t have enjoyed being a passenger on that flight.”

Many airlines have a policy of temporarily or permanently banning any passenger from flying if they cause disruption onboard.

In 2010, Irish actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers was reportedly banned from flying with United Airlines following a drunken incident onboard a flight.

United Airlines has, however, declined to confirm whether it will fly Herring back to the US tomorrow, although it is believed he will be allowed travel.

A spokesman for the airline said: “The safety of our customers and crew is our top priority. In instances of disruptive behaviour onboard our aircraft, we don’t hesitate to refer the individual concerned to the appropriate authorities. We decline to comment further on this case.”

Herring had travelled to Ireland with friends and is due to fly back to the US from Belfast tomorrow.