An Aer Lingus flight that was on the way to pick up equipment for healthcare workers was forced to land after striking a bird.
Flight EI-9018 set off from Dublin Airport at around 11am, but turned back soon afterwards.
The plane only made it as far as Dublin Bay.
A spokesperson for Aer Lingus confirmed the news this afternoon.
"EI9108 has returned to Dublin following a bird strike."
"Upon landing in Dublin it will be assessed by engineers and upon its clearance for travel a new departure time will be ascertained."
Aer Lingus Aircraft "Coughed"
Witness Noel McConnell was in the Viewing area when it happened.
"There was a large Aer Lingus flight taking off.
"As it was reaching near it's takeoff height the plane coughed out of the left engine which looked like a lot of flames."
"It had done it again several times as the aircraft climbed."
"It's landed now and all the emergency vehicles are following it into the area where it's parking."
An Aer Lingus flight bound for China has had to turn back after apparently striking a bird on takeoff.
A witness told us it looked as if the aircraft was "coughing" from it's left engine, said he saw flames.#AerLingus #BirdStrike— Tom Douglas (@TomDouglas95) March 30, 2020
The plane landed safety at around 12.30pm.
The Emergency Services attended the landing
Flight tracking information provided by FlightRadar24.
