This article is from page 19 of the 2006-10-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 19 JPG
A FLIGHT between Rome and Toronto had to be diverted to Shannon last week after a passenger who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder stripped naked in the toilet of the plane and yelled at flight staff.
Wanda Hepditch (51), of Ontario, Canada, appeared before Shannon District Court charged with two offences under the Air Navigation and Transport Act.
The court heard she became unruly two-and-a-half hours into the Skyservice flight, last Monday evening, on which 370 passengers were travelling.
The mother-of-two went into the bathroom after coffee was spilt on her clothes.
She took her clothes off and washed them, and started shouting, while in the bathroom.
She was given blankets and the flight staff closed the door of the bathroom.
She emerged from the bathroom shortly after, wearing a blanket, and became aggressive. She refused to sit down and the plane was diverted to Shannon.
Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court the accused’s behaviour caused “considerable disruption,” and that drink wasn’t a feature as Hepditch had no more than a glass of wine.
“Her behaviour was odd, to say the least. While no-one was injured, she certainly did cause a lot of anxiety on the plane,” he said.
Hepditch’s solicitor Caitriona Carmody said her client had been diagnosed as Obsessive Compulsive.
She said a passenger behind her moved and a tray spilt, while resulted in Hepditch’s clothes getting soiled.
“She became anxious and went to wash her clothes. She went to get her clothes from the overhead luggage department,” said Ms Carmody.
She said her client was given a written warning from the captain and this distressed her.
Judge Aneas McCarthy said clearly there was a breakdown in communication between the airline staff and the accused.
“If they understood her request, no doubt they would have given her clothes.
“She wanted the clothes. Instead they gave her a blanket and asked her to sit down,” said the judge.
“This was a matter that arose because of the illness she suffers from. There was no criminal intent on the part of this lady,” he added.
He said the court must take misbehaviour on board an aircraft “very, very seriously,” particularly when an aircraft is forced to divert.
“Clearly hygiene and cleanliness is a major priority in her life. Given the nature and the unique circumstances I am going to apply the Probation Act,” he said.
Hepditch will not be allowed to travel on board Skyservice flights in future.