Peace protester charged with damaging plane

A 50-year-old peace protester was today charged with causing €500,000 damage to a US navy plane at Shannon Airport.

Mary Kelly was charged at Killaloe District Court with causing criminal damage without lawful excuse.

Kelly, who gave her address as Shannon peace camp, was arrested at 5am today after she breached the airport’s perimeter fence.

The court was told she was arrested with a hatchet in her hand.

Gardai said there was damage to the plane’s nose, the nose wheel, hydraulics and electrics.

She was remanded in custody to appear at Tulla District Court on February 5.

Kelly is one of a number of people who have been living in a peace camp near the airport in recent weeks.

They have been demonstrating at the use of the airport for refuelling by US military aircraft, arguing that this breaches Ireland's tradition of military neutrality.

Green Party leader Trevor Sargent gave his support to Kelly, saying it was sometimes justifiable to damage property in certain circumstances.

“Day to day security at Shannon airport is deeply flawed,” he said. “There is really no excuse for this given the revenue (airports-operating company) Aer Rianta is gleaning from the US military authorities in landing fees.”