Lightening hits Irish PMs plane at Belfast Airport
11.04.08
Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern's plane was struck by lightning as it landed at Belfast City Airport yesterday. Nobody was hurt during the incident.
Mr Ahern confirmed that the bolt hit the government Gulfstream IV jet as he was arriving in Belfast to deliver a speech celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Good Friday peace accord. He was making his last visit to Belfast after 11 years in power in the Republic of Ireland ahead of his resignation, announced last week, which takes effect May 6
He said the strike caused a bright flash throughout the aircraft and jolted it, adding: ’I just want to thank the crew. They did a good job.
The plane was carrying eight passengers, including junior government minister Noel Treacy, and four crew members from Ireland's Air Corps. The Gulfstream is Ireland's main aircraft for VIP travel. The Air Corps confirmed in a statement that the aircraft suffered no damage and was used to transport Mr Ahern and the others back to Dublin on Thursday night.
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