Peace activists endangered passenger lives, court told

Two peace activists protesting at the use of Shannon Airport by the US military endangered the lives of passengers on board two aircraft last year, a court heard yesterday.

At Ennis District Court yesterday, airport police officer Richard Moloney said authorities had to act quickly after learning that two people were lying and sitting down on the main runway at Shannon as two aircraft were due to land on Oct 7, 2012.

Mr Moloney told Margaretta D’Arcy and Niall Farrell, both dressed in orange jump suits: “You were on the runway. There were two aircraft holding overhead while you were on the runway. It was dangerous and you were in a very dangerous position.”