Anti-war group dismiss claims of vandalism

"Grassroots Network", the group behind today's "direct action" protest at Shannon have dismissed warnings that their actions at the airport later today will amount to nothing but vandalism.

The group have planned a mass trespass exercise at the airport where they will attempt to break down the perimeter fence and breach security. Gardai in the area on standby and extra numbers have been drafted into the area in case of violence.

However, spokesman for the "Grassroots Network", Adam Conroy, maintains that a damaged fence does not compare to the devastation that will occur if the war goes ahead.

"Our view is that there is a long-standing legal right that you can damage property to protect human life and that's what we're doing.

"The latest estimates from the UN say that in the event of war in Iraq there would be half a million civilian casualties and two million refugees created and minor damage to a small section of fence really doesn't compare to that in our view."