Protestors to continue demonstrations outside Cork branch of aerospace firm amid calls for Government investigation

Established in Cork in 2010, Collins Aerospace is a subsidiary of defence and aerospace conglomerate RTX Corporation, formerly Raytheon Technologies

Protestors gathered outside the offices of Collins Aerospace in Penrose Wharf this week to voice concerns about the firm, which is owned by the world’s largest defence and aerospace conglomerate. Picture; David Creedon / Anzenberger

Protestors who have been picketing outside the Cork branch of a multinational aerospace firm said they will continue to do so after six months of repeated demonstrations.

Protestors gathered outside the offices of Collins Aerospace in Penrose Wharf this week to voice concerns about the firm, which is owned by the world’s largest defence and aerospace conglomerate.

The group has claimed that Collins Aerospace and its parent company have developed weapons used to harm civilians in Gaza.

Established in Cork in 2010, Collins Aerospace is a subsidiary of RTX Corporation, formerly Raytheon Technologies.

Employing around 100 people, its Cork office is one of three in Ireland, with sites in Shannon and Kilkeel in Newry bringing its total Irish employee headcount to around 1,000.

The company serves several industries including commercial aviation, helicopters, space and military & defence. Its Cork branch acts as a research and development hub and according to Collins, it is a “key contributor” to its applied research and technology capability.

Collins’ parent company, RTX has provided various defence systems to Israel, including missile defence. It has also partnered with Israeli firms to develop weapons systems which the company says are used to “protect the citizens and infrastructure of Israel.” 

Speaking this week outside the Collins offices in Cork city, President of the Worker’s Party, Cllr Ted Tynan raised several concerns regarding the branch and called on the Government to investigate the firm, adding that they should “make public the precise nature of the products, systems and components designed and manufactured by Collins Aerospace in Cork.” 

“This company is directly linked to the arms industry. Some of that equipment is finding its way to Israel and is being used in Gaza and occupied Palestine,” said Mr Tynan.

“While some of the company’s overall operations may involve purely civilian design and manufacture, the presence of a company which is part of an international operation involved in the arms industry demands that questions should be answered.” 

Speaking to reporters on Thursday morning, a spokesperson for Collins Aerospace declined to comment on the connection between RTX and it subsidiary Ratheon and the war in Gaza. However, the spokesperson said the Cork office operations are not directly or indirectly being used in the war.

The spokesperson said it could not comment on the firm’s clients or the clients of its parent company.

“We respect the demonstrators’ right to protest,” said the spokesperson. “We also respect that they do not appreciate what we are doing here.”