Man allegedly attacks US military plane with hatchet at Shannon Airport

A man was detained at Ireland’s Shannon Airport on Saturday for allegedly climbing on the wing of a US military plane and attacking it with an axe, according to local news.

Irish police, or Gardaí, said a man in his 40s entered an unauthorized area of ​​the airport in County Clare and was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage shortly before 11am. Gardaí said investigations were continuing.

The Irish news source stated that the plane involved in the incident was a US Air Force C-130 Hercules transport plane parked on a remote taxiway. Magazine reported.

In the video circulating online, a man in dark clothing is seen walking along the wing of the plane during the incident. It can be seen moving along the wing near the engines and fuselage.

JORDANIAN PLANE WAS ARRESTED AFTER BOARDING THE PLANE IN ARIZONA WITH AN INVALID TICKET, HE REQUESTS TO BE RELEASED.

The breach has raised new concerns about security at Shannon Airport, which has recently seen a number of incidents involving unauthorized access to restricted areas.

A spokesperson for Shannon Airport said the airport temporarily suspended operations following the breach.

“The airport ceased operations around 9.50am and operations resumed at 10.15am,” the spokesman said.

JORDANIAN PLANE WAS ARRESTED AFTER BOARDING THE PLANE IN ARIZONA WITH AN INVALID TICKET, HE REQUESTS TO BE RELEASED.

The brief closure caused minor disruption, with two outbound flights delayed and an incoming plane put into a holding pattern before landing shortly after 10:20 a.m., The Journal reported.

Authorities, including airport police, Gardaí and Irish Defense Force personnel, responded to the scene, The Journal reported. Armed officers and specialist units were also deployed.

Authorities searched the airport area to determine how the suspect entered the restricted area.

LEAD WAS FOUND IN A COMMERCIAL JET AT THE BIG AIRPORT, CAUSED FEAR IN SECURITY

A U.S. Air Force transport plane sits on the runway at Shannon Airport in County Clare, Ireland, during a security operation for the arrival of then-President Donald Trump. (Niall Carson/PA images via Getty Images)

The incident is the latest in a series of recent security breaches at Shannon Airport, according to The Journal.

In November, three people were arrested after a minibus violated airport security and entered a restricted area. In May last year, another vehicle crashed into a surrounding fence, causing a temporary closure. Weeks later, three women were arrested for allegedly breaking into the airport and damaging the plane.

Authorities did not say whether Saturday’s incident was linked to previous violations.

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File photo of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arriving aboard Air Force One at Shannon Airport in Ireland. (Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Shannon Airport has been the scene of frequent anti-war protests for years due to its use by the US military, dating back to the Iraq War era.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe for comment.