03 November 2023 , 06:32
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A drunk passenger who got aggressive and pushed cabin crew in a row over a chocolate bar on his flight home from Spain has avoided jail.
Daniel Hamilton, 28, was fined £435 (€500) for causing annoyance or offence on a plane, breach of the peace at Dublin Airport, and obstructing arrest. The court heard that Hamilton had been drinking on his flight back from a family holiday in Spain.
Judge Treasa Kelly told him he should know better, saying: "I certainly would not like to be on a flight where you were creating trouble with the crew. It would be very worrying, and I am sure they were very upset on the flight as a result of your behaviour."
Garda Sergeant Niall Murphy told the court that Hamilton allegedly became aggressive when the cabin crew said they couldn't sell him a chocolate bar. He verbally abused and pushed them, and police had to remove him from the plane after landing, Irish Mirror says.
Hamilton, who had six previous convictions, disputed the evidence of assault through his lawyer. However, the sergeant clarified that assault was not the charge before the court. Defence solicitor Michael French explained that Hamilton had "consumed far too much alcohol on the day in question" while travelling from Salou with family.
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He was "highly intoxicated" but now very remorseful, and he asked his solicitor to convey his apologies to the police and airline staff. The court heard that Hamilton, a father of one, was employed. Mr French acknowledged the seriousness of the allegation but asked the judge to accept Hamilton's apology and be as lenient as possible.
Mr French also mentioned that Hamilton, who had struggled with addiction issues in the past, has addressed his alcohol intake since this incident. Judge Kelly noted Hamilton's guilty plea and previous convictions. She recorded a conviction, imposed a fine, and warned that it had to be paid within three months.
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