Breach spurs Shannon security review

DEFENCE Minister Willie O’Dea has ordered an urgent security review at Shannon Airport following lapses found in a recent inspection.

A knife was smuggled through passenger checks undetected during an audit carried out by officials from the Department of Transport in May.

The weapon was smuggled through check-in concealed in clothing.

Embarrassingly, news of the security violation came at a time when the Department of Transport had contacted all Irish airlines advising them to be extra vigilant in light of the recent London bombings.

Thousands of American visitors and US troops pass through Shannon Airport each week.

The number of US troops transiting Shannon en route to Iraq and US bases in Europe has almost doubled this year. More than 150,000 soldiers transited Shannon during the first six months of 2005, compared to 158,549 in 2004.

The US Government has paid the airport a reported $18 million (€15m) for its services this year and a total of $60m (€50m) since the start of the Iraq war four years ago.

Mr O’Dea yesterday confirmed he has told the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning to have a review of airport security at Shannon on his desk as soon as possible.

He also told the task force the security audit must be carried out by independent experts and not by any Government body.

The task force, chaired by the minister, is made up of senior army and garda personnel as well as top civil servants.

Mr O’Dea said the second security audit will be unannounced.

He said: “This matter was raised at the recent meeting of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning and I have asked for an independent unannounced security check before we next meet.

“The last security check carried out in May at Shannon showed some lapses in security. They have now been dealt with and attended to.

“I do not wish to go into detail about these matters, but I have been assured that everything that needed to be done, has been done.”

Mr O’Dea said the demand for an independent unannounced security check at Shannon in the near future was “to assure everybody that everything was ok”.

Earlier this year, major security shortfalls were also exposed at Dublin Airport.

On that occasion, knives, guns and a simulated bomb went undetected during an audit by European Civil Aviation Council inspectors.

Security in Dublin has since been stepped up.