Members of Irish agribusiness group Glanbia were about to enter the White House yesterday as the plane that crashed into the Pentagon flew overhead.

Led by chairman, Mr Tom Corcoran and deputy managing director, Billy Murphy, the group found itself in the middle of a tight security operation following the attack.

The stunned visitors were accompanied out of the grounds and back to their hotels.

Glanbia director of communications Mr Michael Patton said the group was in America to visit some of Glanbia's American operations in Idaho.

The group is due back in Ireland today.