Security concerns as group plans anti-war demo

There were fresh calls today for heightened security at Shannon airport ahead of an anti-war demonstration.

Concern was expressed after a group declared that it is planning to pull down the airport’s perimeter fence on Saturday.

The group – Grassroots Network Against War – posted a notice on its website calling on protesters to take part in a “mass non-violent civil disobedience“.

Fine Gael’s Pat Breen said there was “grave concern” that the Co Clare airport would come under attack from peace activists.

“The Government must take pre-emptive action by increasing the number of army personnel in order to protect the airport,” the Clare TD said.

“We have seen the damage that only a handful of determined people can do. These people are not concerned about the detrimental consequences of their actions for Shannon Airport and the mid-west economy.

“The Government has no excuse this time. They have plenty of notice and must take preventative action to maintain adequate protection for Shannon Airport.”

Army patrols were drafted in to patrol Shannon after protesters broke through the perimeter fence and damaged a US military plane last month.

Protesters have been demanding that the Government withdraws permission from US planes to refuel at the airport on their way to the Gulf region.

Since the attacks on the US Navy plane three airlines have diverted their flights, refuelling at other airports instead.

Richard Boyd Barrett, director of the Anti-War Movement, said the proposed breach of security was detracting from the real issues of the protest.

“I think it has been blown out of proportion,” said Mr Boyd Barrett, whose group is organising Saturday’s march.

“It is helping to detract attention from the real issues, including the fact that the Government is supporting the US war effort by allowing planes to refuel at Shannon.

“That’s what people should be thinking about.”

Saturday’s protest is set to begin at 2pm with a rally at Shannon town centre, before moving on to the terminal buildings.

Several thousand people are expected to take part.

Gardai would not comment on the amount of security that was being planned, but said there would be sufficient policing.