An Italian businessman who jokingly wrote 'attention Ebola' on a coffee cup while on board an Aer Lingus flight has got off with a warning, after he told a judge he would make a charitable donation.
Roberto Binaschi (56) was arrested at Dublin Airport yesterday afternoon.
Mr Binaschi was on board an Aer Lingus flight from Milan with his wife and daughter when he wrote the message on a coffee cup.
He did it as a joke for his daughter because he drank some of her coffee and she is fussy about germs.
He threw the cup in a bin where it was noticed by cabin crew, leading to his arrest.
The IT businessman admitted in court that what he had done was 'a big mistake'.
He was charged with insulting, threatening or abusive behaviour.
Judge Anthony Halpin called it a serious matter - but conceded it was a 'sick joke' and he let the businessman off after he agreed to donate €2,500 to the Capuchin Friary.
