Bush's meet-and-greet with troops 'a gross insult'
Mr Bush's meet-and-greet with his troops was "a gross insult" to Ireland's sovereignty and policy of neutrality, peace activist Ed Horgan said.
"Donald Rumsfeld (US Defence Secretary) did this in the past and it is a gross insult to Irish sovereignty," said Mr Horgan.
Green Party TD John Gormley said the incident was "further evidence of Irish Government collusion" in the Iraq war.
"It would appear from President Bush's appearance that Ireland is seen as a de facto 51st state of the US," Mr Gormley said.
"This Irish Government still pays lip service to the idea of neutrality, while at the same time giving free reign to the US military in Shannon."
He also questioned why the security for Mr Bush's stopover exceeded the initial garda presence at the Love Ulster parade in Dublin on Saturday.
More than 500 personnel from the garda, army and air corps were drafted into Shannon on Tuesday, in an operation estimated to have cost more than €300,000.
Mr Bush was due to travel to India after refuelling at Shannon. His official jet, Air Force One, and its twin, Air Force Two, arrived at the airport more than an hour ahead of schedule at 12.20am, and he spent 80 minutes on the ground, during which he met and "rallied" more than 200 US troops, bound for the Middle East, in the main terminal.
Security personnel will be on high alert again this weekend as the presidential planes are due to refuel at Shannon on their return from India.
Mr Gormley claimed the Government's priorities were skewed.
"They seem more interested in protecting a man who has made the world a more dangerous place by engaging in a counter-productive and destabilising war in Iraq, than in protecting our own Irish citizens. There can be no doubt also that the appearance of President Bush in Shannon, along with American troops, increases the likelihood of an attack on this country from terrorists."
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