An individual wielding a hatchet reportedly launched an assault on a US military aircraft at a prominent civilian airport in Ireland on Saturday, inflicting significant damage at a contentious stopover used by American forces.
The intruder breached a restricted area at Shannon Airport in County Clare, where a US Air Force C130 Hercules, valued at $75 million, was stationed, as reported by local publication The Journal.
The assailant, described as being in his 40s and yet to be named, allegedly climbed onto the aircraft’s wing and proceeded to strike the wing and fuselage, resulting in substantial damage, according to GB News.
This startling incident led to a brief shutdown of the airport, lasting just under 30 minutes, until law enforcement officers from the Garda Síochána apprehended the suspect.
The C-130 Hercules is a versatile transport aircraft employed in various military operations.
Previously, one such model was downed in Iran, crashing in Kuwait on April 5 during a mission to rescue pilots from a fallen F-15E.
Shannon Airport has been the site of regularly held demonstrations demanding the Irish government inspect US military planes for weapons destined for Israel, the outlet reported.
US military aircraft have used the airport as a refueling and transit stopover since the Iraq War era — a practice that has long infuriated Irish anti-war activists who argue it violates Ireland’s constitutional neutrality.
