Cowen: US not transporting arms through Shannon

Shannon airport is not being used by US military aircraft transporting large quantities of arms to the Gulf region, the Foreign Affairs minister tonight said.

However, Brian Cowen admitted that troops stopping off at Shannon sometimes had their own personal weapons in the hold area of planes.

Mr Cowen was speaking in response to calls from campaigners and opposition politicians to clarify Ireland’s position on the use of Shannon airport as a stopover for the refuelling of US planes.

Protesters have expressed outrage in recent days over the action, which they say goes against the country’s tradition of military neutrality.

Responding to calls for clarification on the Government’s position Mr Cowen tonight said it was “simply not the case” that the US was using Shannon to transit large quantities of arms to the Gulf.

“Shannon is one of a number of European airports used for many years as a transit by US aircraft, mainly for the transit of military personnel to a wide range of destinations,” he said.

“It appears that Shannon is chosen by the US because it offers quick turn-around with efficient and friendly service.”

He said that although civilian aircraft did not have to seek permission to land in the Republic they did need it to carry munitions of war – permission was only sought for one such plane last year.

However, Mr Cowen conceded that some troops were carrying their own personal weapons.

“It has been indicated to us that troops travelling on civilian aircraft are sometimes accompanied by their personal weapons which are carried in the hold of the aircraft,” he said.

“However, they do not carry ammunition and they do not bring their weapons into the airport buildings.

“My officials have been in touch with the US authorities to ensure that civilian carriers are reminded of their obligation to seek permission for the transit of weapons and ammunition through Irish airports.”