No jail for man who sparked Ebola fear on Aer Lingus flight

An Italian businessman who sparked Ebola fears on board an Aer Lingus flight has been spared a prison sentence after he told a judge he had made a charitable donation.

Roberto Binaschi (aged 56) was arrested at Dublin airport yesterday afternoon.

Binaschi was on board an Aer Lingus flight from Milan with his wife and daughter when he jokingly wrote “attention Ebola' on a coffee cup.

He did it as a joke for his daughter because he drank some of her coffee and she is fussy about germs.

He threw the cup in a bin where it was noticed by cabin crew - leading to his arrest.

The 56-year-old IT businessman admitted in court that what he'd done was “a big mistake”.

He was charged with insulting, threatening or abusive behaviour.

Judge Anthony Halpin called it a serious matter, but conceded it was a 'sick joke' and he let the businessman off after he agreed to donate €2,500 to the Capuchin Friary.