ON MAY 22, a story appeared in the business section of the Belfast newspaper The Irish News that went almost unnoticed in the South.

IT was the week that Bertie Ahern said Irish politics was lying in the gutter — and the opposition shot back that the Taoiseach was just lying.

FIANNA Fáil deputies, senators and MEPs from the western seaboard conceded last night that the Aer Lingus decision to pull its Shannon to Heathrow service was a done deal and that their anger over the decision will not materialise into a rebellion.

A Fianna Fáil backbencher has launched a scathing attack on Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey over his attitude to the Shannon controversy.

A Fianna Fáil cumann in Co Clare has overwhelmingly voted in favour of a motion of no confidence in the Taoiseach over his attitude to the Shannon controversy.

TOURISM, an important source of employment, has been in the headlines lately, especially over the Shannon controversy. This weekend the Rose of Tralee festival is being held.

AS temperatures soared yesterday Limerick unveiled its forthcoming Riverfest during which the country’s biggest barbecue will sizzle over two days.

THE controversy over Ireland’s alleged collusion in the unacceptable US practice of airlifting suspects for interrogation and torture took an extraordinary twist yesterday when it emerged that a convicted US marine, shackled and in military custody, was transferred through Shannon Airport last Sunday with the knowledge of the Irish Government.

Shannon 35 Ballymena 12

IN response to Edward Horgan’s self-righteous posturing (Irish Examiner letters, November 23), I am sure that Justice Minister Michael McDowell has more important things to do than to accept his challenge to jail him for speaking the “truth.”

Independent MEP Rosemary ‘Dana’ Scallon has called on the US government to delay any decision on the future of the Shannon stopover until its ramifications have been fully assessed.

CONGRATULATIONS on bringing to public notice the scandal of what has been happening – and continues to happen – at Shannon airport (Irish Examiner, Sept 3).

THE Government sanctioned the passage of a consignment of 28 Patriot missiles through Shannon Airport, official documents seen by the Irish Examiner reveal.

The Technical Engineering and Electrical Union, which represents craftworkers at Aer Rianta, has expressed its opposition to the scrapping of the Shannon stopover.

THE Shannon stopover could officially end this summer with the Government preparing to break the agreement with the US that ensures regular landings at the international airport.

THE number of aircraft with weapons landing here has soared despite the decision by three US carriers to bypass Shannon airport.

Six people facing charges in connection with anti-war protests at Shannon airport were remanded on continuing bail in court at nearby Ennis, Co Clare today.

SOLDIERS added razor wire to Shannon Airport’s perimeter fences last night as the army and gardaí braced for trouble at today’s anti-war protest.

BUSINESSES and public organisations are joining forces to make better emergency plans in case of fire, flooding or nuclear disaster.

Gardai have taken a young man into custody at a protest at Shannon Airport this evening.

Gardai have named the man and woman shot dead in Shannon last night.