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'Intruders on Runway' at Shannon, 8.45pm Saturday.

category national | miscellaneous | news report author Sunday March 02, 2003 14:42author by Simonauthor email simonhaden at gregans dot ieauthor address Co. Clare

"Intruders on Runway" at Shannon. Aer Lingus flight forced to circle area.

I was on the Aer Lingus flight from London Heathrow to Shannon last night, Sat. 1st March. At 8.45pm just before we were due to land, the captain announced that there was a "very unusual occurance at the Airport". He said that he had been informed that "there were intruders on the runway" and that security were looking into it. Our plane was forced to circle the airport for 10/15 minutes before we were permitted to land.
When we landed there was an ATA plane (US troop carrier) on the apron waiting to take-off. When we disembarked we saw it take off.
The strange thing is that this incident has not been reported in the media. Does anyone know anything about it ?

Comments (6 of 6)

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charming belief in the media!
author by press prostitutepublication date Sun Mar 02, 2003 17:29author address author phone

It is not strange that this is not being reported in the media.

Unofficial
author by Auporcinepublication date Mon Mar 03, 2003 03:18author address author phone

It seems the intrusion was not unfortunately part of the protest,but a couple of Herons who had decided that the runway vicinity was a good place to stop for a rest. The Danger of Ingesting such a large bird into the engines of any aircraft was enough to cause a few Go Arounds,and the Herons are not bothered by either the usual Bird scaring equipment,or the presence of many shiny yellow and blue beings in the area. They were encouraged to leave by airport police in their yellow minibus,with flashing lights.
They returned to the Marshes of the Shannon Estuary after a while,and normal service resumed.

Bird Power
author by Schwanzpublication date Mon Mar 03, 2003 15:23author address author phone

Fair play to the Herons Against War.There action was commendable to say the least,more so than the other attempt at a protest on saturday.

Auporcupine, Where did you get this info?
author by Aislingpublication date Mon Mar 03, 2003 16:48author address author phone

How did you find out about the Heron incident?

welcome
author by Auporcinepublication date Tue Mar 04, 2003 00:37author address author phone

My sources in Shannon aerospace,and I work for the IWC

Careful Now!
author by Auporcinepublication date Tue Mar 04, 2003 02:39author address author phone

I didnt realise it was supposed to be Kept a secret. Birds will suffer from any war just as much as humans. Remember the thousands of seabirds who needlessly die every year because of oil slicks,human waste etc. Somebody needs to stand up for them too. maybe these herons were making a protest of their own?


A lovely bird the heron graceful in flight and an excellent fisherman,but many die every year due to the ingestion of discarded fishing hooks.

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