TWO MEMBERS of a search unit at Shannon airport have been suspended without pay for three months after Department of Transport officials posing as passengers carried unauthorised objects through security at the airport without being detected.
While airport authorities never comment on security issues or disciplinary matters, it is understood the action has been taken against the officers following the incident earlier this month. Sources have also confirmed that there have been four incidents in recent months where search unit members were "caught out" during random inspections. Each occurrence involved a different staff member or members.
Following the three previous episodes where lapses in security were detected by undercover inspectors, personnel were sent on a two-day "retraining" course.
However, this is the first time that any member of the unit, which was established just last year, has been suspended. Department of Transport officials carry out regular and often unannounced visits to the State's main airports to assess security procedures and practices.
This is an international requirement for airports which are "security rated". During a recent visit by department staff, officials managed to carry unauthorised and prohibited objects through the main security screening area at Shannon.
To test procedures on an ongoing basis, an outside security company has since been employed by the airport to attempt a covert breach of security.
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred. Two years ago, a department inspector carried a Swiss army knife in his pocket through security at the mid-west airport.
There have been similar incidents at Dublin airport.
A new and expanded passenger screening area has recently opened at Shannon and is operated jointly by airport police and members of the new airport search unit, which comprises civilian staff.
Some members of the search unit are airport staff who were redeployed as part of the reorganisation at Shannon last year.
At least one of the two staff members suspended has decided to appeal the decision.
Shannon airport has not availed of an opportunity to comment on the matter.