Man arrested for allegedly damaging US military aircraft in Shannon airport | UK news
A man who entered the unauthorized area of an airport in the Republic of Ireland and allegedly damaged a US military aircraft has been arrested, police said.
The suspect, aged in his 40s, was arrested for alleged criminal conduct and remains in custody over the incident at Shannon airport in County Clare on Saturday.
Footage circulating on social media showed a man climbing onto a US air force C-130 Hercules transport plane parked on a remote taxiway.
In a statement, a Garda Síochána spokesman said: “On Saturday 11 April 2026 an adult male entered an unauthorized area of Shannon airport in Shannon, County Clare.
“An adult male (aged in his 40s) was arrested by gardaí shortly before 11am for alleged criminal damage and is currently being detained at a garda station in the Clare/Tipperary division under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
“Research continues”
In addition to gardai, airport police officers, Shannon airport fire and rescue service and members of the defense force working at the airport also responded to the incident.
Following the incident, airport activities were temporarily suspended. Two departing flights were delayed, while a plane arriving from Lourdes, France, was placed in a holding pattern.
A Shannon Airport Group spokesman said operations resumed shortly after the incident.
“The airport suspended operations at approximately 9.50am and resumed operations at 10.15am.”
