An American man has been fined €1,000 after a plane was forced to divert to Shannon Airport.

Limerick District Court heard the diversion caused by barman Jody Bochner (28) with an address in Miami, Florida, cost the airline €100,000.

The remaining 262 passengers and crew on the flight from Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale in Florida continued on the rest of their journey last night.

Garda Karen Walsh said Mr Bochner replied: "No, I did not tell anyone when they brought me in", and "I don't understand anything you say," when he was formally charged with three offences - including threatening and abusive behaviour, under the Air Navigation Act.

The Norwegian flight was 40 minutes in when cabin crew were alerted to smoke in one of the lavatories. An e-cigarette was taken from Mr Bochner and he was returned to his seat.

Around 20 minutes later, Mr Bochner became disruptive and used abusive language to cabin crew.

Several passengers had to be moved due to his actions.

"Extremely unfortunate"

He leapt onto a seat and attempted to strike a male crew member, before being restrained and handcuffed with the help of passengers.

Garda Walsh said the defendant was very aggressive when he disembarked around 6:15pm yesterday and he smelt of alcohol. However, she acknowledged he was a totally different man this morning.

Defence solicitor Stiofan Fitzpatrick said the incident was extremely unfortunate and there was no rhyme nor reason to explaining his client's actions.

He said his client was returning to America after visiting his girlfriend in London, and had taken drink to help him sleep on the long flight.

Mr Fitzpatrick said Mr Bochner has no recollection of the incident and is anxious to return to the United States, as he is the sole carer for his elderly grandparents.

The cost of the diversion amounted to around €100,000 - Judge Aeneas McCarthy fined him €1,000.