Hundreds protest US use of airport

HUNDREDS of anti-war protestors marched on Shannon airport yesterday in protest at the continued use of the airport by the US Air Force in preparation for possible war in the Gulf.

The protest, organised by the Grassroots Gathering - a network of peace groups and anti-war activists opposed to war in Iraq - passed peacefully as up to 300 marched from Shannon town.

A previous protest on October 12 saw ten arrests as activists breached the airport’s perimeter fence, trespassing on the runway area.

Gardaí and airport police maintained tight security, drafting in a canine unit, the garda helicopter, the public order unit as well as reinforcements from Ennis and Limerick.

There was one reported arrest yesterday, and a number of people were cautioned after they defaced an aviation monument, turning it into a shrine for Iraqi children.

Protestors pasted pictures of Iraqi children on the structure and poured red dye into the surrounding pool.

Green Party member Tim Hourigan, who was arrested along with prominent activist Eoin Dubsky for spray-painting a US military plane in September, said the day had been a success.

“I think it was a very powerful display of popular opposition for the use of the airport. It was attended by grandparents and children as well as people from all over the country,” he said. He added that he would continue to monitor US planes passing through the airport.

Fellow protestor Ciaron O’ Reilly said, “Shannon Airport has become a pit stop for the US war machine. In contravention of Irish neutrality, offensive troops and military equipment have been passing through Shannon daily. This must be met with nonviolent resistance by those who hold life more sacred than oil profits.”

Eoin Dubsky is due in Tulla District court on December 18 to face charges relating to criminal damage of a US military aircraft. In September Mr Dubsky was given High Court leave to challenge the State’s opening of Irish airports and airspace to US war planes involved in military action in Afghanistan.

High Court President, Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan, granted the 22-year-old DCU student permission to apply for an injunction restraining the State from permitting US military aircraft the use of Irish airspace or to land at Shannon airport.