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Updated, 14:05
TWO DUTCH MILITARY jet fighter planes were scrambled to escort a passenger plane to the ground after a communications mix-up caused fears that the jet had been hijacked.
The Netherlands’ national broadcaster NOS reported that two F16 planes were despatched to escort the flight – a Vueling flight from Malaga, Spain -after the pilot had failed to make radio contact with the ground.
AFP quoted a spokeswoman from the airline, however, who simply said reports of a hostage or hijacking situation were simply “not true”.
Reuters said the reports of a possible hijack were the result of a “mis-communication” between the pilot and air traffic control.
NOS also quoted the airline, Vueling, as saying there were no unusual circumstances on board – and a defence spokesman who said it was standard practice for F16s to be scrambled if radio communications could not be established.
The plane remains on the ground at Schiphol, where law enforcement agencies are likely to inspect the cabin as a precaution before passengers are permitted to disembark.
It has been a busy day at Schiphol, one of Europe’s busiest airports – earlier today part of a departures hall was evacuated after a suspected World War II bomb was discovered.
The device was found by construction workers digging near one of the airport’s piers. The airport was used as a military base by Nazi Germany during the war, and was a regular target for Allied attacks.
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Speaking of which, I see the NOC have paid Hickeys fees and he’s coming home but we still can’t comment!!
Nor can you comment on the GSOC/sexual assault complaint where no charges have been made yet. The charging is the normal point for cutting off comments.
Surprised the coppers didn’t catch these fellas given how many checkpoints they’ve been deploying in Clane lately
No Garda info on descriptions, characteristics, clothing, size or accents. These things would be helpful in any public appeal, or maybe they’re not really that bothered.
They don’t give full descriptions because these men would be seen on every street corner. I’m sure anyone who saw an armed robbery and a distinctive Skoda will be able to give their own descriptions. This way Gardai will know if the witness is legit!
Gerry, being seen in every street corner, means too much follow up work?. Surely these lads were lurking around at some stage before the robbery, maybe they called into other shops in the area looking for easy targets. They wouldn’t have brought the car into some shops and afterwards are certainly not going to be hanging on to the car. First thing I would do is provide a description to other shopkeepers for their protection and also for them to check their videos for these guys scoping thing out. Back in the days of actual policing, descriptions were given out. We are now in the days of just incident recording.
So you think Gardai should tell the public and potential witnesses every detail of this crime. That would be a barristers dream when they get witnesses in the witness box and be able to say that the Gardai led the witnesses into making statements. Gardai hold back certain information for a reason. You should wander down to the local district court some day. There are thousands of people prosecuted on a daily basis by Gardai for Criminal offences so much so that the courts struggle to keep up and it takes months and years to get through the courts. Even take a look at the news. Today alone I saw 4 articles about criminals being locked up for serious and guess what all of these prosecutions were brought about by Garda investigating crime. So either you are misinformed or you just have a chip on your shoulder!
No Gerry, no chip here, I support the Gardai, that doesn’t mean I have to agree with the withholding of suspect descriptions. They’ve always been a useful community protection tool when dangerous people are at large, which is the case here. This is a strange policy development I’ve noticed in recent times and I can’t see the logic behind it.
It may be useful in conserving scarce resources for other functions such as traffic, it may or may not have an effect in the courtroom. There may even be anti bigotry reasons in some cases. These are issue that the Garda management and the prosecution people should sort out themselves without lazily resorting to deteriorating the public policing and protection function. Public protection should always override organisational convenience.
Garage is 2 minute walk Garda station. There Harley ever there.
Clane is an awful shi*hole
Nope.
Now why would you offer that nugget, what don’t you like?
Which petrol station was it? The one on the barberstown side town?
have your say