Khaberni - Shannon Airport in the Republic of Ireland was briefly closed on Saturday morning following a security breach after a man damaged an American military aircraft, according to authorities.
According to the British "Sun" newspaper, an alarm was triggered when an individual was spotted within a restricted area of the airport.
The man was seen near a parked Lockheed C-130 Hercules, an American Air Force transport plane, on a distant runway.
Police at the airport quickly responded, along with Shannon Airport's fire and rescue service, as well as members of the Irish police and defense forces who were on duty, along with reinforcements from uniformed police officers, armed detectives, and members of the armed support unit.
According to information, the man climbed onto the wing of the aircraft and caused damage to its structure with a tool, likely an axe. A mobile ladder was used to reach and detain him, before he was arrested and taken into custody.
Airport police officers patrolled the perimeter of the airport to identify the suspect's point of entry into the facility.
The incident caused a slight delay for two departing flights, while an incoming plane from Lourdes was put in a holding pattern after its crew was informed of the security breach. After about 20 minutes, the plane was allowed to approach and landed at 10:22 a.m.
The Irish police reported that a man in his forties entered a restricted area of the airport, was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage before 11 a.m., and is detained under the 1984 Criminal Justice Act, as investigations continue.
The report also mentioned that three people were arrested last November after a truck they were in breached airport security and entered a restricted zone, before being intercepted by the police and armed defense forces members.
The airport was closed on May 1 of last year following another security breach, when a truck attempted to enter the airport by crashing through a security fence, before three persons jumped out onto the runway after it became stuck in a ditch.
