DUBLIN — A man climbed onto a parked US military aircraft at Shannon Airport in Ireland on Saturday and damaged it with an axe, prompting a temporary halt in airport operations.
According to Irish media, the aircraft — a C-130 Hercules transport plane — had traveled from Kansas in the United States, with a stop in Canada, before landing at Shannon Airport on Friday.
The suspect breached the airport’s perimeter fence, accessed the restricted area, climbed onto the aircraft, and struck the fuselage and wing.
The incident forced a suspension of airport operations for about 30 minutes before armed police intervened.
Irish police said the suspect, a man in his 40s, has been taken into custody and an investigation is ongoing.
Authorities confirmed the aircraft sustained significant damage.
The incident marks the third time US military aircraft at Shannon Airport have been targeted since last May.
Source: Saudi Gazette