Dublin flights diverted by Irish police helicopter chase
Three flights had to be diverted from Dublin Airport to allow a police helicopter involved in a chase for an armed gang to fly-by.
It followed an armed robbery at a shopping centre in nearby Malahide.
Police requested and received permission from the Irish Aviation Authority to continue their pursuit of the suspects.
Some planes were diverted to Shannon Airport while other incoming flights were put into a holding pattern.
Two Aer Lingus flights, from Gatwick and Brussels, were affected along with a Ryanair flight from Las Palmas.
After refuelling in Shannon, all three aircraft returned to Dublin.
Dublin Airport said departing flights were not affected.
Irish police said it was a very rare event and lasted 20 minutes.
Two men, aged 28 and 29, were later arrested by police investigating the robbery of a cash box from a cash-in-transit at Clare Hall shopping centre on the Malahide Road.
The box containing the money was later recovered by police along with a firearm.
A burnt-out car similar to the one used in the robbery was also found.