Gardaí and authorities at Shannon airport are investigating how two young children managed to breach the perimeter fence and wander across a busy runway before being stopped by security personnel.
The incident occurred at 8.30 on Friday night when the nine and 11-year-old boys, from nearby Shannon town, were spotted crossing the runway close to the Shannon Aerospace facility at the northern end of the airport. They apparently crawled under a section of fence near a designated viewing area. The incident was reported to air traffic control by a person who had been parked in the area at the time.
A Shannon airport spokeswoman confirmed that the incident occurred but said there was no danger to the children as no aircraft were landing or taking off at the time.
"They were picked up by the airport police and handed over to gardaí, who are investigating the matter," she said.
It is understood that the boys crawled through a small gap in the security fence and walked across the main runway in the direction of a hangar where the Irish Coastguard rescue helicopter is based. The pair also crossed a taxiway which is in constant use by aircraft and is the main route taken by aircraft taxiing from the terminal to the runway prior to take-off.
A Garda representative confirmed that the children were handed over to their parents and an investigation of the incident is now under way. Gardaí don't believe that the children had any malicious intent. They may have gone to the area to get a closer look at the rescue helicopter. The authorities at the airport are also looking into the matter.
Shannon-based councillor Patricia McCarthy said she is "extremely concerned" that two children could access the runways and added that she hoped it wasn't "some sort of dare and that others won't try to repeat the stunt".
"I would caution parents to be vigilant and aware of where their children are at all times. Fortunately on this occasion there were no serious repercussions," Cllr McCarthy said.
While this incident is not being treated as a breach of security, there have been a number of serious infringements at Shannon in recent years.
The largest breach took place on October 12th, 2002, during one of the largest anti-war demonstrations held at the airport. A 50m (164ft) section of the perimeter fence was torn down and up to 150 people entered the airfield from the main road.