Large war protest expected at Shannon

Hundreds of anti-war protesters are expected to show up at Shannon airport this afternoon to voice their opposition to war with Iraq.

The protesters will be joined by TDs and Senators from a number of left wing parties.

The Irish Anti-War movement says it expects around 1,500 people to attend the rally - six buses have been laid on to ferry passengers from Dublin alone.

And significant numbers from Cork, Waterford and Limerick are expected to attend.

The rally is said to be two-fold, protestors will be voicing opposition to any war on Iraq, but they will also be calling on the US government to put a stop to it's use of Shannon airport as a stop-over facility.

Activists will assemble in Shannon town centre at 2 O'Clock. From there they will march to the 'Peace Camp' at the airport and on to the terminal building.

They will then be addressed by TDs Joe Higgins and Jan O'Sullivan and MEP Patricia McKenna.