A Northern Ireland man who has admitted he can't handle drinking alcohol has been refused bail by a US judge over charges connected with him allegedly telling a US flight attendant he was a terrorist linked to Osama bin Laden.

Aiden Simon Mackle, 44, of Portadown, is accused of interference with a flight crew and assault on a plane from Atlanta to Dublin last month.

The plane was diverted to Bangor, Maine, where he has now appeared in court.

The judge said Mr Mackle had admitted "he cannot drink alcohol without suffering serious consequences" with the incident involving his activities as a troublesome airline passenger.

The court was handed an FBI affidavit which alleged that he was smoking in the plane's toilets and also stated that, when challenged, the man became verbally abusive to a flight attendant, telling her he was associated with Osama bin Laden and was going to hijack the plane.

According to the affidavit, he later told an off-duty pilot he was a terrorist. It also alleged he then punched an off-duty flight attendant who warned him he might have to be restrained.

The judge said yesterday that Mr Mackle's family had told the court he "can become extremely angry when drunk, although in the past his violence has been verbal only".

Mr Mackle had been on his way home after visiting family and friends in California.

(BMcC)