Shatter defends jailing of Margaretta D’Arcy

Justice Minister Alan Shatter has roundly defended the imprisonment of an elderly and ill anti-war activist, visited in jail this week by the President’s wife, saying the woman should “not be presented in heroic guise”.

Ms Higgins went to Limerick Prison on Sunday to meet Margaretta D’Arcy, 79, who was jailed last week after refusing to sign a bond pledging not to protest again at Shannon Airport.

The writer, playwright and member of Aosdana had been charged after protesting on the runway over its use by US military.