The incident occurred at 8.30pm on Friday night when the five- and 11-year-old boys, from nearby Shannon town, were spotted only yards from the airport's main runway.

They apparently scaled a fence so that they could get a closer look at a search-andrescue helicopter which is based at the airport.

A spokesperson for Shannon Airport confirmed the incident occurred but said there was no danger to the children from aircraft at the time as no planes were moving in that part of the airfield.

"They were picked up by the airport police and handed over to garda� who are investigating the matter, " she said.

It is understood that the boys scaled a six-foot-high security fence close to the hangar, which is located only yards from a busy taxiway and only a short distance from the airport's main runway.

The taxiway is in constant use by aircraft and is the main route taken by planes taxiing from the terminal to the runway prior to take off.

A garda spokesperson confirmed that the children were handed over to their parents and an investigation in to the breach is now underway.

Garda� believe the children had no malicious intent and were only there to get a closer look at the rescue chopper.