THE RUC Chief Constable was among aircraft passengers when a drunken man tried to open a cabin door at 33,000 feet, a Belfast court was told yesterday.
Sir Hugh Annesley and other passengers on a flight to Belfast remonstrated with the man in an attempt to subdue him, said RUC Insp John Anderson, prosecuting.
The Belfast Magistrates Court was told how John Ireland (35), a seaman from Mount Vernon Park, Belfast, terrified other passengers on Jersey European flight GY9070 from Gatwick to Belfast city airport on October 2nd.
Insp Anderson said Ireland was "very drunk" after drinking from a litre bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey during the flight. "He was shouting and threatening other passengers. The captain had to leave the flight deck to speak to him, all to no avail.
"He was remonstrated with by other passengers, including the Chief Constable of the RUC. As the plane was coming in to land, Ireland refused to fasten his seat belt. Instead, he stood up and remained standing while the plane landed."
Insp Anderson said police arrested Ireland as he got off the plane, but he punched one of them and assaulted a security guard. Ireland had said he could not remember being on the aircraft.
Mr Denis Maloney, defending, said Ireland had written letters of apology to the captain and crew and had conveyed his personal regret" to the Chief" Constable.
Mr Maloney said Ireland was drinking because he was terrified of flying. "No one in sobriety would consider attempting to open an aircraft door at 33,000 feet," he said. Pleading for leniency, Mr Maloney added: "This is not some brash, loud thug. This is somebody who made a mistake. The drink was in and the wit was out. He won't do it again."
The magistrate, Mr Mervyn Bates, said he could not envisage a more threatening situation for those on board. "Here was a man who, under the influence of drink, refused to obey the command of the captain, cabin staff and even the RUC Chief Constable," he said. "It was appalling behaviour which must have instilled panic in the passengers and crew."
Ireland admitted being drunk on the plane, endangering the aircraft, refusing to obey the pilot's commands and assaulting a police.man and security guard.
He was fined £600 and given a three month jail sentence, suspended for two years.