A diplomatic spat has broken out between the UK and Ireland after a RAF aircraft landed at Shannon Airport without permission in a "serious" incident.

The Hercules transport plane came down in County Clare but clearance from the Dublin government was not sought in advance.

UK military chiefs are now facing a dressing down over the unapproved landing on 29 December which has been described as a "total affront to Irish sovereignty" and "utterly shocking".

British diplomats told Irish officials there had been a "communication breakdown" and there are set to be more discussions to make sure "correct procedures are followed in future".

As Ireland is a neutral country, permission should have been sought beforehand.


And assurances should have been given that the aircraft had no weapons, ammunition or explosives and was not on an intelligence-gathering mission or a military exercise or operation.

The British Embassy in Dublin has since told Irish officials that the Hercules was unarmed, was not gathering intelligence or on an exercise or operation and landed in Shannon to refuel.

Image: The unauthorised landing at Shannon Airport has been called 'utterly shocking'. File pic

Ireland's foreign affairs minister Charlie Flanagan said: "The government views breaches of the procedures set down for the granting of permission for such landings with the utmost seriousness.

"I have instructed my officials to discuss the matter further with the British embassy with a view to ensuring that correct procedures are followed in future."

Twenty-one other RAF flights followed the correct procedures to land in Ireland last year.

Clare Daly, an Independent politician from Dublin, revealed the information in a parliamentary question and called for closer scrutiny of NATO planes in Ireland.

Ms Daly, who campaigns against the use of Shannon by foreign military including the US, said: "It is utterly shocking that a foreign military aircraft landed without permission from the department of foreign affairs on Irish soil.

"This is a total affront to our sovereignty and any notion of neutrality.

"The minister should be before the Dail (Irish parliament), apologising and assuring us of the measures he has put in place to prevent a recurrence."