An Irish government minister escaped unharmed last night after a door fell off a helicopter he was travelling in shortly after take-off.

The Air Corps aircraft was immediately forced back down to the ground in Killarney, Co Kerry after the mid-flight accident 500 feet above ground and just three minutes in the air.

Martin Cullen, Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, who was sitting beside the left hand door when it plummeted to the ground, was not injured but was said to have been left badly shaken by the scare.

The Defence Forces said the helicopter, which was carrying Mr Cullen, his private secretary and three crew, had taken off from Killarney racecourse after the minister addressed a conference in the town.

A spokesman said the Air Corps pilot was forced to make a precautionary landing at the helicopter pad at the nearby Killarney Golf & Fishing Club at 3.30pm.

"The aircraft is currently on the ground until a military airworthiness inspection team and technicians from Air Corps HQ, Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel examine the aircraft on the ground," he said.

The same Air Corps AW 139 helicopter brought Mr Cullen from Waterford to Killarney yesterday morning and was returning to Dublin when the incident happened.

The passengers boarded through the right hand door before take-off.

The Defence Forces said the AW 139 helicopter can fly with doors open under certain speeds, but normally only in military and winching roles.

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea and the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Dermot Earley, were informed of the incident and will receive a report, the Defence Forces added.

A spokeswoman for the minister said he had been attending the Irish Hotels Federation annual conference in Killarney.

"The minister said the crew acted superbly and full credit should be due to them," she said.

"The minister is fine."

His private secretary was also unhurt.

Another Air Corps AW 139 helicopter was diverted from Cork on return from a training exercise and was bringing the minister back to Dublin tonight.

The incident happened in Ireland's picturesque south-west corner, popular with tourists for its rugged, mountainous terrain.