RAF fighter jets spotted flying low across Northern Ireland as residents alarmed by noise

A group of four fighter jets have been spotted across Northern Ireland on Friday morning.

Residents in various areas across the country told how they were ‘alarmed’ as the low flying combat jets flew over areas of Co Tyrone and Co Down before landing at Belfast International Airport.

The fighter jets were spotted in areas of East Tyrone such as Coalisland, Stewartstown and Cookstown, as well as Kilkeel in Co Down.

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A spokesperson for the Royal Air Force confirmed that it was completing 'routine low flying training' in Northern Ireland on Friday.

‘RAF Typhoons from 3 Squadron, RAF Coningsby are completing a land away and routine low flying training in Northern Ireland today," the spokesperson said.

"The RAF use airports all over the country for training as they provide unusual & differing airspace and approach challenges, this ensures our crews remain ready and able to deploy on global operations.’

SDLP Mid Ulster councillor Malachy Quinn said the noise had alarmed local residents in the area.

“I was in work and everyone in our office jumped up to the windows to see what was going on,” Cllr Quinn said.

One of the RAF Typhoon jets which was spotted in Northern Ireland on Friday (Alan Jackson)

“There were four jets flying about and they seem to be all over the place as I’ve had messages from people in different areas.

“It was very loud, I’ve asked for an explanation as it was a ridiculous noise and left a lot of people alarmed because they didn’t know what was going on.”

Stewartstown man Tim McElhatton captured the fighter jets over the Co Tyrone village this morning.

"I was just out walking my dog when they came through the sky," Tim told Belfast Live.

"It was extremely loud, I saw them first then heard them afterwards as they flew past.

"It certainly woke me up out of my daydream anyway! They were pretty low down and far closer to me than it seems on the video, I felt the vibration and my dog was going mad and couldn’t wait to get home."

Main video credit: John J Jeffers

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