Man with an axe damaged a US Air Force plane at Shannon Airport in Ireland

In Shannon Airport, Ireland, a man broke into a restricted area and damaged a US military transport aircraft C-130 Hercules. The attacker was detained, and an investigation is underway, UNN reports with reference to independent.ie.

Details

The incident occurred on the morning of April 11 at Shannon Airport in County Clare. According to local media, the man entered the restricted area where the US Air Force aircraft was located, then climbed aboard and damaged the fuselage and wing. Publications indicate that he may have used an axe.

Irish police officially confirmed the fact of illegal entry into the restricted part of the airport and the arrest of a man on suspicion of property damage. According to law enforcement, the man is about 40 years old. He is currently in custody.

Due to the incident, the airport's operations were temporarily suspended. According to media reports, the alarm was raised around 09:45, and by 10:15, the airport's operations resumed. Two flights were delayed as a result, and one aircraft waited for some time for landing clearance.

An official assessment of the extent of the aircraft's damage has not yet been released. At the same time, Irish media report that the damage could have been significant, and the aircraft itself was temporarily taken out of service. The circumstances of the man's entry into the restricted area are currently being investigated.

The incident occurred against the backdrop of long-standing discussions in Ireland regarding the use of Shannon Airport by the US military as a transit point.

Local publications also recall that this is not the first case of intrusion into the airport's territory with damage to US military aircraft.

Recall

In early April 2026, Iranian military claimed to have shot down two C-130 aircraft and two Black Hawk helicopters.