Use of Irish airspace denied to 19 aircraft over military concerns

Nineteen aircraft were last year refused use of Irish airspace or airports over concerns they were carrying indiscriminate military hardware like cluster bombs.

The mainly US planes, classed as civilian, had sought permission to fly over the country or refuel at Shannon but were rejected on advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and forced to re-route.

No information has been revealed about the exact type of munitions believed to have been on board, a parliamentary inquiry into the use of the airport by US military was told.