Drunken Passenger Forces United Airlines Flight to Divert to Dublin

DUBLIN, Ireland — A United Airlines flight bound for New York was diverted to Dublin on Monday after a 34-year-old American passenger caused chaos onboard by mixing alcohol with the anti-anxiety medication Xanax. The man, identified as Zachary Greear, urinated on his seat and the aircraft aisle, prompting the emergency landing.

The flight, which originated in Amsterdam, was rerouted two hours into its journey while flying over Donegal, Ireland. Authorities reported that Greear was so intoxicated he “could not understand where he was.” The diversion required the plane to burn approximately 30,000 euros ($32,500) worth of fuel.

Upon landing in Dublin, Greear was detained and later pleaded guilty to three charges under Ireland’s Air Navigation and Transport Act: being intoxicated, engaging in threatening or abusive behavior, and causing a disturbance onboard. His defense lawyer, Eoghan O’Sullivan, stated that Greear was “horrified and ashamed” of his actions and offered an apology to those affected.

Greear initially offered to pay 4,880 euros ($5,300) in compensation, but Judge Michéle Finan deemed the amount insufficient, stating it “does not even cover the damage caused.” She ordered him to return to court with double the amount the following day. Greear was ultimately fined 10,000 euros ($10,800) and required to donate 4,880 euros to charity.

The incident disrupted the journey for 153 passengers and 13 crew members. Judge Finan described Greear’s behavior as “appalling” but noted his lack of prior criminal record and his apology as mitigating factors.