31/10/2014

Man Fined Over Ebola Hoax Scare

A man has appeared in court today (31 October) in connection with an incident on board a Milan to Dublin flight on Thursday.

The man, 56, was arrested at Dublin Airport after allegedly claiming he had Ebola.

Appearing at Dublin District Court on Friday, the man apologised for his actions, insisting it was a joke. A judge ordered him to pay €2,500 to charity in order to avoid a criminal conviction.

According to reports, the man, who is from Italy, wrote "Attentione Ebola" on a plastic cup, which was later spotted by a flight attendant.

The relevant authorities were contacted and when the plane landed in Dublin, it was cordoned off, while passengers were forced to remain on the Aer Lingus flight for almost an hour. A joint investigation by airport police, the HSE and Dublin Airport Authority was carried out, before the incident was declared a hoax and the passengers were allowed to disembark the plane.

A 56-year-old man was arrested.

Two women, aged 23 and 51, understood to be the man's daughter and wife respectively, were also arrested in connection with the incident but released on Thursday night without charge.

(JP/MH)

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