Dublin Airport terminal reopens after suspicious baggage sparks security alert
Passengers are now being allowed to re-enter the terminal, with flight operations expected to resume within 30 minutes, according to airport operator DAA.
Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport has been given the all-clear after being evacuated earlier today when a suspicious item was detected in security scanners.
The suspect device appears to be some form of medical apparatus, the understands.
The Defence Forces' Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team earlier left Terminal 2 after conducting an inspection of the device.
Gardaí say, following a preliminary examination at the scene, the item of luggage was contained and removed from the terminal to another location to ensure airport operations were not impacted.
The EOD team later carried out further checks and declared the bag safe.
Normal operations at the airport and associated access routes have since resumed.
Gardaí said enquiries into the matter are continuing but that the precautionary evacuation and response were “an appropriate and responsible approach to the situation which was presented.”
Passengers were allowed to re-enter the terminal shortly after 2pm, with flight operations expected to resuming shortly after, according to airport operator DAA.
“Earlier, Terminal 2 was evacuated as a precaution," the group said. "The safety and security of passengers and staff remain our top priority.
"Some temporary disruption to flight schedules may occur, so passengers are advised to check with their airline for the latest updates. We appreciate our passengers patience and cooperation.
“Separately, an unrelated software issue has affected airline check-in and boarding systems at some European airports today. This has had a minor impact at Cork and Dublin airports, where some airlines have implemented manual processes.”
Videos and photographs showed large crowds of passengers leaving the terminal and gathering outside, as traffic builds around the airport.
Several sources confirmed to the that a suspicious item was discovered inside a bag that passed through security scanners.
Gardaí confirmed they had identified the owner of the suspect bag and inquiries are ongoing.
The Defence Forces' EOD unit had been deployed following the alert, while gardaí also attended the scene along with officers from the Special Detective Unit as part of standard procedure.
The incident began shortly before noon and saw large crowds of passengers evacuated from Terminal 2 and directed to designated assembly points outside.
Traffic in the vicinity of the airport was also affected.
Gardaí have advised that routes approaching the airport remain busy.
Although some flights were temporarily delayed, others continued to operate during the incident.
Earlier, flights including services to Boston, Manchester, Donegal and San Francisco were seen departing as scheduled.
Investigations into the item found are continuing.
