“Sick Joke” on Aer Lingus Flight Results in Emergency Screening, Delay & Fine

An Italian man will donate more than $3,000 to charity after making an Ebola joke on an Aer Lingus flight to Dublin last month.

A businessman who made a joke about Ebola on an Aer Lingus flight will avoid jail time and make a donation to an Irish charity in lieu of a fine. The Irish Times reports that Roberto Binaschi, 56, will avoid having a criminal record with an apology and the donation, after subjecting other passengers to a delay and medical screening due to his joke.

According to The Irish Times, Binaschi was traveling to Dublin for a business conference with his family. While flying on Aer Lingus Flight 433 on October 30, he made an Ebola reference to his daughter, writing “attenzione Ebola” on a drinking cup (“Attention: Ebola” in English) both he and his daughter used. After the cup was discarded, the writing alerted a flight attendant. The captain then initiated emergency protocols.

Upon landing at Dublin Airport (DUB), the flight was met by emergency crews. The aircraft was held for over an hour while travelers were screened for the virus. Although everyone on the flight tested negative for Ebola, Binaschi and two others were taken into custody. Of the three, Binaschi was the only one charged.

The Irish Times reports that Binaschi pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behavior on an airplane. In court, Binaschi expressed his remorse for making the joke and causing panic.

“Never again in my life, will I treat such subjects with such a superficial attitude in a public space,” Binaschi told the court via an interpreter, according to The Irish Times. “I don’t know how to apologize.”

The judge sentenced Binaschi under the Probation Offenders Act, sparing him a criminal record and prison sentence. Binaschi offered to donate more than $3,000 to charity and the judge directed him to give it to the Capuchin Day Centre, which assists the homeless in Dublin.

[Photo: Collins Courts via The Irish Times]