Lawyers say Irish support of Iraq war illegal

More than 70 Irish lawyers have signed a public statement opposing the planned US/British war on Iraq and described the Irish Government's support for the war as "criminal".

The lawyers said they would have preferred to avoid the public debate on the matter, but with the war appearing imminent, they said, silence was not an option.

The 70-strong group said the Irish Government's support for the US war preparations breaches the principles of both domestic and international law and, by providing facilities at Shannon Airport to the US military, the Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrats coalition is guilty of serious criminal conduct.

The United States, the lawyers said, is preparing to use unreasonable and unjustified force against Iraq, something which will cause the deaths of thousands of entirely innocent people.

At a press conference this morning, the 70 lawyers urged the public to urgently communicate their views on the war to the Dail and to do all in their power to peacefully oppose the US/British attack.