Man claims he unwittingly carried knife through airport security undetected

SHANNON Airport refused to comment yesterday on claims that a passenger managed to carry a dangerous flick-knife through security twice over one weekend.

Kevin Quaid, who lives in Pallaskenry, Co Limerick, said he carried the four-inch blade knife on board a British-bound flight unwittingly and returned through the airport with the same knife two days later.

Mr Quaid said he booked a Ryanair flight from Shannon to Luton on May 25.

He said: “I was in a rush from work on that day. I missed the check-in time by about five minutes and had to transfer to a flight to Stansted. I went straight up to security and had to take off my boots and belt and take out my mobile phone and wallet. I sailed straight through.”

Unknown to Kevin, there was a flick-knife in the upper pocket of his denim jacket throughout the check-in and boarding period.

He said: “I use this at work and completely forgot all about it in the rush that I was in beforehand. I didn’t discover it until I was leaving Stansted.

On his return journey from Stansted to Shannon on May 27, Kevin kept the knife, and again it was not detected by security.

“I am frightened to think what could happen if somebody deliberately tried to bring something more sinister on board a plane,” he said.

A Shannon Airport spokesperson said they do not comment on security issues.

A spokesman for Ryanair said: “It is a matter for airport security.”