MULTI-MILLIONAIRE businessman and former owner of the Sunday World, Gerry McGuinness, was left with a broken nose after an assault by a fellow passenger on board an Aer Lingus flight this weekend.

McGuinness was rushed to hospital by ambulance following the attack on a flight from Malaga to Dublin on Friday afternoon.

A US national appeared in Dublin District Court yesterday on a charge of assault causing harm.

The court heard evidence from the arresting garda that Harry Romero, understood to be from New Jersey, had hit another passenger as he was disembarking the plane. Romero, a DJ and record producer, was travelling to Ireland to DJ at a Belfast nightclub. He was granted bail of 15,000 yesterday and will reside in Lisburn until his next appearance in court on 5 September. Following his arrest at Dublin Airport on Friday, the 30-year-old had been held in custody in Santry Garda station until yesterday's court appearance.

The assault is understood to have taken place after luggage from an overhead locker, belonging to the American, fell on top of McGuinness's travelling companion. Romero was subdued by Aer Lingus staff, who notified gardai on the ground. He was handcuffed immediately upon arrival to Dublin.

McGuinness currently lives between Dublin and his home in Marbella, Spain.