Bird strike forces flight with Taoiseach on board to return to Dublin

An Aer Lingus flight to New York, with the Taoiseach Micheál Martin on board, has been forced to return to Dublin.

Aer Lingus EI107 landed safely shortly before 6.30pm this evening and all passengers disembarked safely.

In a statement, the airline said the flight to New York JFK had to return to Dublin following a bird strike shortly after take-off.

Aer Lingus has apologised to customers for the inconvenience.

A re-scheduled Aer Lingus flight, carrying the Taoiseach, was expected to depart from Dublin for New York shortly after 8pm this evening.

The Taoiseach is due to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York tomorrow.