Bullet found by passenger on Aer Arann flight

A LIVE bullet was discovered by a passenger on an Aer Arann flight between Cork and Edinburgh yesterday. The passenger made the discovery shortly before the aeroplane landed in Edinburgh at lunchtime and police were alerted.

All 38 passengers were searched along with their baggage and also the crew, but no more bullets or guns were found.

“Nothing else untoward was found and all passengers and crew were eventually allowed to go free,” an Edinburgh policewoman said.

The Edinburgh Lothian and Borders District police, who carried out the search, is checking the bullet for fingerprints. But it may be impossible to trace it because it is unclear how many people handled it. The investigation was downgraded and the Aer Arann flight RE463 arrived back in Dublin last night.

The airport management company, Aer Rianta, would not comment on the incident yesterday because they said all security issues were a matter for the Department of Transport

A Department spokesman was not available for comment. Meanwhile, a Cork Chamber of Commerce delegation met with Department of Transport officials yesterday to discuss the future of the local airport.

The chamber’s chief executive Michael Geary said they were delighted to hear Minister Seamus Brennan will proceed with his plans to create three independent State-run airports in Cork, Shannon and Dublin.

Mr Geary said Cork Chamber of Commerce had made this same recommendation to the department in its submission before Christmas.

“It is vital that such an important part of our infrastructure is not privatised,” Mr Geary added. The chamber delegation was also told by the Department of Transport officials the €140m funding for the new Cork Airport terminal was secure.