Army called in after airport attack on plane

The deployment of army troops at Shannon airport was being discussed by senior Government ministers today after a US military plane was damaged by peace protesters.

A request for military support was made by Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne amid fears of further breaches of security at the Co Clare airport.

Transport Minister Seamus Brennan, Justice Minister Michael McDowell and Defence Minister Michael Smith were meeting ahead of today’s Cabinet meeting to discuss the move.

It comes after the second attack in less than a week on a US navy aircraft which was refuelling at Shannon.

Last night five protesters appeared in court on charges of causing damage to the plane, which was still being repaired after another incident last Wednesday.

They were remanded in custody after allegedly breaking through a perimeter fence into the hangar early yesterday.

Mr Brennan condemned the action and said the Government would support requests for military support at Shannon.

He said that if Commissioner Byrne decided military assistance was necessary, it would be considered “very urgently” by the Government.

“The Government take a very serious view of this,” Mr Brennan said.

“Peaceful protest is one thing and there is no difficulty with that, but this is not peaceful protest, it is a very serious situation and the Government response to it will be taken very seriously.”

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern confirmed that security at Shannon would have to be reviewed, admitting that the protesters were pushing the Government’s tolerance.

“I am very concerned about the protest,” Mr Ahern told reporters. “In all these situations you try and do your best to allow peaceful protest.

“But they (protesters) are charging out on to runways with mallets and hatchets and pick-axes. That’s not peaceful protest.”

Last week 50-year-old peace protester Mary Kelly was charged with vandalising the same plane, causing €500,000 of damage.

Ms Kelly – who gave her address as Shannon peace camp – is to reappear at Tulla District Court on Wednesday.

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

Aer Rianta has begun moves at the High Court to remove protesters who have been occupying a “peace camp” on the airport’s grounds since Christmas.