Barman Jody Bochner of Miami, Florida has appeared at Limerick District Court, charged with threatening and abusive behaviour; being intoxicated; and failing to obey directions from cabin crew.
It's alleged the incident began when he set off the plane's smoke alarm with an e-cigarette in one of the toilets.
He became abusive and attempted to hit one of the male cabin crew members before he was restrained and handcuffed with the help of some passengers.
The cost of the diversion amounted to around €100,000.
The remaining 262 passengers and crew on the flight from Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale continued on the rest of their journey last night.
