LAST UPDATE | 22 Nov 2025

THREE PEOPLE HAVE been arrested after a van gained access to an unauthorised area at Shannon Airport this morning.

The van is understood to have gained access to the airport at the main security post adjacent to the airport’s fire station.

It’s not clear how far onto the airfield the van travelled but it’s believed it reached a taxiway where a US C40 aircraft was parked. A C40 is a US military variant of the popular Boeing 737 jet.

There were gardaí and armed members of the Defence Forces on duty on the taxiway at the time and along with Airport Police personnel, intercepted the van.

It’s also not clear whether any damage was caused to the aircraft however engineers could be seen around the plane.

Airport operations were suspended for around 30 minutes following the breach.

Two men and a woman, all aged in their 20s, were arrested at the scene while the van was later removed for a technical examination.

It’s understood that gardaí had to use force to gain access to the vehicle and remove the occupants. Mesh wiring could be seen inside the windows of the van’s cab area.

Group Palestine Action Éire has claimed responsibility for the incident.

A spokesperson for The Shannon Airport Group confirmed: “Operations at Shannon Airport resumed at 10:02 am this morning following a temporary suspension of just under 30 minutes, while it addressed a security matter.

“The safety of passengers and staff remains our top priority.”

On 1 May, Shannon Airport was closed for a time following a security breach where a van attempted to entered the airport. Three people were detained after they left their van stuck in a ditch and they ran onto a taxiway.

A little over two weeks later, A member of An Garda Síochána was hospitalised following an incident at Shannon Airport.

Three women were arrested after they allegedly gained access to the airside area of the airport and caused criminal damage to an aircraft.