Laser strike as air ambulance transports baby

An air ambulance was attacked by laser beams as it transported a critically ill baby to hospital this week.

The Air Corps said the cockpit was struck several times by the “extremely dangerous” laser as it carried out an urgent emergency operation from Letterkenny General Hospital to the Rotunda in Dublin.

Air Corps spokesman Captain Brendan O’Dowd said the Augusta Westland helicopter ambulance came under attack as it passed over Kingscourt, Co Cavan, on Wednesday at about 10.15pm.