A peace activist has been charged with causing criminal damage to the US Air National Guard plane at Shannon Airport on April 13
05:00, 23 Aug 2026
Ireland has been offered the 34-year-old C-130 Hercules by US military chiefs
Ireland has turned down an offer to take over ownership of this US military plane – after it was targeted in an alleged attack in Shannon Airport.
We have learned that US military chiefs offered the 34-year-old C-130 Hercules to Ireland because they adjudged it unsuitable to go back in to service following the alleged attack at the Co Clare airport earlier this year.
A peace activist is currently before the courts and charged with causing criminal damage to the US Air National Guard plane at Shannon on April 13.
He is also charged with trespass at the site and another charge of criminal damage to an airport perimeter fence on the same date.
The plane, which was flying to Poland from America and had stopped off at Shannon when the alleged attack happened – and it has remained there ever since.’
A man was arrested in April after he allegedly damaged a US military plane at Shannon Airport
Sources tell us the plane is not expected to re-enter service with the US military, who intends to dispose of it.
We have now learned that in recent months, they offered it to Ireland to keep.
One option was for it to be used for training by the elite Army Ranger Wing – especially for rehearsals for storming aircraft in a hostage incident.
There was also a suggestion that the plane could be repaired and added to the Air Corps fleet, but sources said that was ruled out.
Military sources said bosses decided not to add it to their fleet as the Air Corps did not have any other C-130s in its inventory of planes. Ireland uses a recently purchased C295 for its military transport missions.
And a spokesman for the Department of Defence has confirmed to the Irish Sunday Mirror that it has decided not to take control of the plane.
He told us: “With regard to your query regarding the damaged USAF C-130 Hercules, we understand that the US authorities are considering a number of options for the disposal of the aircraft and have enquired as to any interest we might have.
“I can confirm that the Department of Defence has advised the US authorities that we have no interest in acquiring the damaged aircraft for DF training or any other use.”
The Hercules C-130 is a workhorse of the US military and is used to fly soldiers, freight and even vehicles all around the world
The plane is still under guard by gardai in a hangar at the airport and is now likely to stay there until America decides how to dispose of it.
The C-130 is a workhorse of the US military and is used to fly soldiers, freight and even vehicles all around the world. It is also used by dozens of other air forces, including Canada, Italy, Australia, South Africa and Tunisia.
News of the offer by America comes as gardai prepare a major security operation to Ireland by US President Donald Trump next month – who is expected to fly in to Shannon. He is expected in Ireland from September 12 to 14.
The 80-year-old will visit Dublin, where he is expected to turn the sod on the new US embassy in Ballsbridge. But he is also expected to attend the Irish Open golf tournament at his course in Doonbeg, Co Clare.
That will likely see Air Force One land at Shannon.
We have contacted the US embassy for comment.
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