A passenger who allegedly assaulted cabin crew on a flight from Glasgow to Tenerife has been told he may not be able to fly home.
Jay Dalziel, 19, is said to have become ‘immediately disruptive’ after boarding the Jet2 flight from Glasgow on Wednesday, June 12.
The flight took off at 3.30pm on Wednesday and was forced to divert to Shannon Airport in Ireland at around 5.30pm, where Dalziel was arrested by gardai.
Dalziel, from Motherwell, was accused of behaving in a “appalling and deplorable” manner according to the airline, the Mirror reports.
He appeared in court charged with two alleged ‘serious assaults’ on fellow passengers, with a judge telling him he might be forced to take a ferry home as airlines ‘may not be keen to let him on board a flight’ to go’.
Jet2 said on Thursday it had immediately banned Dalziel from flying with them for life, and that it would “vigorously” pursue Dalziel “for recovery of all costs incurred by this diversion, which will be a five-figure sum” .
The teenager also faces two breaches of the peace charge under section 20 of the Air Navigation Act, accusing him of threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour.
He was charged with assault causing harm to Amie Hendry and assault causing harm to John Mills. Det Garda Roddy Burke of Shannon Garda Station told the court that Dalziel made no response when charged at the scene at 3pm on Thursday.
He was remanded in custody with permission to be released on bail on the condition that an independent bond of €5,000 be provided. Judge Gabbett said: “These are serious assault charges and it is important that I know someone will face justice.”
Dalziel’s grandfather said €5,000 would be paid within two and a half hours, to which Judge Gabbett responded that Dalziel would be allowed on bail once the money was taken to Limerick Prison.
Judge Gabbett ordered gardai to return Mr Dalziel’s passport so he could return to Scotland. He said his young age was the biggest factor that made his return trip possible.
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But the judge added that Dalziel may have to take a ferry back to Scotland because airlines “may not be keen to let him on board a flight” and “he has to take that risk when he books the flight.”
Lawyer Stiofan Fitzpatrick, who defended Mr Dalziel, told Judge Gabbett he would reserve his position on the legal aid issue. Mr Dalziel was remanded in custody with permission to bail before appearing at Ennis District Court next Wednesday.
Judge Gabbett said if he were to accept bail and return to Scotland, his attendance at court would be excused. Gardai then escorted Mr Dalziel to Limerick Prison.
The 19-year-old was convicted of charges carrying jail terms of up to 12 months, and if the case were heard in court on charges, he could be jailed for up to five years.
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