Irish man in Cole racial abuse case

An Irish man has been charged in connection with the racial abuse of former Manchester United star Andy Cole on a flight from Dublin to Manchester.

He and another man, of no fixed address, were said to be drunk when the retired striker was subjected to racial slurs.

The men, both in their 20s, were arrested when the Aer Lingus flight arrived in Manchester on Sunday.

They appeared before Trafford Magistrates’ Court yesterday where they were charged with a racially aggravated public order offence. Gregory Horan, 26, of no fixed abode, was charged with being drunk in an aircraft and Lee Patrick Byrne, 28, from Dublin, has been charged with a racially aggravated public order offence.

Greater Manchester Police said officers were called to the airport in relation to an inbound flight from Dublin.

“Officers were responding to reports that a 42-year-old man was being subjected to racial abuse while on the plane, and that two passengers were drunk and would not co-operate with cabin staff,” a spokesman said.

Cole, 42, is heavily involved with the Kick It Out campaign with other black footballers, which aims to stamp out abuse from fans and players.