Lightening hits Irish PMs plane
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.
The bolt hit the government Gulfstream IV jet as Mr Ahern was arriving in Belfast to deliver a speech celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Good Friday peace accord. He was also 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
Mr Ahern said the strike caused a bright flash throughout the aircraft and jolted it. He added: ’I just want to thank the crew. They did a good job.
The plane was carrying 8 passengers, including junior government minister Noel Treacy, and 4 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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