Four Arrested Over 'Air Rage' Incidents In Ireland

Four people were arrested after three international flights had to land at Shannon Airport on Tuesday.

In the first incident, a Ukrainian man and his wife, aged 43 and 39, travelling on a Martinair flight between Amsterdam and Cuba, had to be restrained by cabin crew.

The couple appeared before a court in Co. Clare on Wednesday, charged with threatening and abusive behaviour and being drunk onboard a flight.

Judge Joseph Mangan sentenced Volodymr Litovkin to one month in prison and fined him 700 euros. His wife, Iryna Litovkna, was also sentenced to one month in prison, but this was suspended.

The second incident involved an Iranian man on a Delta airlines flight from Istanbul to New York. Air marshals travelling on the plane are understood to have over-powered the 41-year-old. According to reports, the man was travelling with a doctor and became ill on the flight, He is reported to have been suffering from a medical condition and Gardaí said that he is not expected to face charges.

The third incident happened on board a Thomas Cook flight from Manchester to Toronto. The flight was diverted to Shannon after cabin crew became suspicious of a man on board the flight. The man, a 41-year-old originally from Pakistan, was arrested. He was reportedly admitted to hospital after being held overnight at Shannon Garda Station, after becoming ill in his cell on Wednesday morning.

He is due to appear before court in Milltown Malbay today on charges of threatening behaviour and failing to obey cabin crew.

(KMcA/SP)