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 and who was drunk on a plane, has been fined £200.
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 told an earlier court that 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 told the earlier court the defendant is a builder who was contracted to build a playground in Northern Ireland over three or four weeks and was due to stay in an Airbnb. He was "remorseful" for his behaviour.
District Judge Nigel Broderick told the earlier court 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 had been given bail and had to surrender his passport. He was back in court on Tuesday and paid the £200 fine.