AERONAUTICAL specialists are to examine what are thought to be parts of an aircraft found on a farm in Co Clare at the weekend.
Mr John Clohessy, who farms near Ballynacally on the banks of the Shannon estuary, found the pieces of metal spread over 30 acres of land. The farm is on the main transatlantic flight path out of Shannon airport. Local aviation enthusiasts believe that the main pieces of metal found are consistent with the curved panels on the engine of an aircraft. They also claim that the debris came from a military aircraft.
A spokesman for Aer Rianta told The Irish Times yesterday it had the pieces of metal at Shannon. He said: "We got a report on Sunday and the airport police were alerted, who collected the items from the farm. We informed the Irish Aviation Authority and understand an aeronautical investigator is coming to examine the objects.
"He should be in a position to confirm or deny whether they are off an aircraft."