Man on way to Northern Ireland to build a playground was drunk on a plane
A man on his way to Northern Ireland to build a playground was drunk on a plane.
At Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena on Tuesday, he had the assistance of an interpreter regarding the Slovak language.
Damian Konecny (25), from Bodovce in Slovakia, pleaded guilty to charges of being drunk on an aircraft and failing to obey a command on an aircraft.
A prosecutor said around midday on January 26 police responded to a report of a drunk man onboard a Ryanair flight which travelled from Budapest to Belfast International Airport.
Police boarded and removed the defendant from the flight. He was unsteady on his feet and smelt of intoxicating liquor.
The prosecutor said the defendant is a Slovak national who came here to work. Cabin crew said the defendant had behaved in a disorderly manner on the flight and failed to obey commands.
A defence barrister said the defendant is a builder who was contracted to build a playground in Northern Ireland over the next three to four weeks and is due to stay in an Airbnb. He is "remorseful" for his behaviour.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said he was fining the defendant £200 but when it was heard there were difficulties getting the cash immediately the judge adjourned the case to February 10 for him to get the money.
The defendant was given bail and has to surrender his passport.