A Dublin family claims it has been banned from an airline for life following an alleged air rage incident.

Members of the family were accused of verbally abusing cabin crew on the Monarch flight to Gran Canaria.

They were also accused of smoking and taking drugs on the flight, according to one member of the family.

The airline then refused to fly the family home from their holiday in the sun a week later.

"They told us we were barred from the airline for life, that they would never fly us again," said Dionne Kavanagh, originally from Greek Street in the north inner city, but now living in Donaghmede.

Ms Kavanagh travelled to the resort of Puerto Rico with her partner and wider family group on a holiday they booked via Direct Holidays.

"We were accused of smoking in the toilet and of taking drugs as well. And they said we used abusive language towards the crew and other passengers.

"My sister had words with the air hostess but she was not abusive and we used no bad language," insisted Dionne.

"The police took our details, but they didn't arrest us, they told us to have a good holiday.

"If it were real air rage we would have been arrested. Now we've been told we're barred for flying with Monarch airlines ever again," she added.

A spokeswoman for the airline maintained: "The crew became concerned because they were highly intoxicated and were verbally abusive to both crew and passengers.

"We put the police on notice in Las Palmas. We refused to fly them back but as for a lifetime ban we did not stipulate that."

Dionne a mum-of-one, insists: "It was a family holiday. We caused no trouble at the airport or getting on the plane."

"We explained everything to the holiday rep when we got off the plane. They told us that if there was any trouble about the flight home they would know by Wednesday.

"The rep told us on Wednesday that they hadn't heard anything and it should all be OK."

However, as the group were waiting for the bus to take them to the airport on Saturday, May 31, they were informed that they would not be allowed to fly.

"We were literally left stranded over there. They just told us they wouldn't be dealing with us any more. We had to borrow money to make our own way to the airport to try and get a flight home," she added.

A spokesperson for holiday company Thomas Cook said: "Direct Holidays primary concern is for the safety of all its passengers ... Monarch Airlines decided not to carry these passengers on the return flight as they felt their behaviour would possibly jeopardise the safety of other passengers."

Most of the group secured flights home later that night, but two of the party were forced to wait a further two days before getting a flight home.