Six workers have been suspended at Shannon airport after they were found playing rugby near several aircraft on Sunday afternoon.
The ramp staff, employed by international ground handling-agent Servisair, were seen by the captain of a Ryanair flight which had just landed at the airport.
The aircraft was taxiing past the workers at the time and the matter was immediately reported by the pilot to air traffic control and airport operations staff.
It is understood the incident was also captured on airport CCTV cameras.
The incident occurred the day after Munster beat Sale Sharks at Thomond Park to qualify for a home quarter-final in the Heineken European Cup. One worker at Shannon said yesterday that everyone was on a high due to the win.
A spokesman for Servisair confirmed that the six "have been suspended pending the outcome of investigations by the airport authorities and the company".
He added: "The incident took place in an exposed area near aircraft. The captain saw this and expressed concern about it.
"It is a serious health and safety issue and we are taking it very seriously. We have to be 100 per cent sure of the safety of travelling passengers. The airport is investigating the matter and so are we."
A spokesman for the Shannon Airport Authority said that the matter was an internal disciplinary matter for the handling company. "But we will be interested in the outcome of their investigation in so far as it concerns ramp safety."
Last November, two Servisair company employees were suspended following an incident which resulted in an air bridge being damaged and a trans-atlantic cargo jet being grounded.