Scottish Police Criticized For Handling Of Situation

Scottish police have confirmed there was no threat to a Ryanair flight from Paris to Dublin, that was diverted to a Glasgow airport Wednesday afternoon after a note claiming there was a bomb onboard was passed to the cabin crew.

The captain immediately reported the note -- which was reportedly found in a magazine left onboard the aircraft -- to UK air traffic controller, who in turn instructed the 737 to divert to Prestwick Airport -- accompanied by three RAF Tornado fighters.

After passengers were questioned -- reportedly, while they were still onboard the plane -- and a thorough search of the aircraft revealed nothing, authorities cleared the plane to continue on to Dublin approximately nine hours after the ordeal began.

Most passengers reportedly took the scenario in stride, and generally praised authorities and Ryanair for their handling of the situation -- but not Belfast resident Charlie Fitzgerald, who said officials in Scotland violated the civil rights of passengers.

Those onboard the plane were "left like lambs to the slaughter" onboard the plane as it was searched, Fitzgerald told the Irish Examiner. "We were left on the plane for two to three hours. The pilot told us there was a bomb scare and he told us he thought it was a joke."

“The pilot appealed and appealed to get us off the plane," Fitzgerald continued. "He said if a real bomb had been on board they would have been blown up to high heaven. The whole thing was absolutely disgraceful."

Nobody was arrested in the incident.

FMI: www.ryanair.com