Ahern under threat from anti-war protesters

Anti-war campaigners today vowed to make life unbearable for Bertie Ahern if he does not withdraw refuelling facilities for US military aircraft.

Calling on tens of thousands of people to march through Dublin at the weekend, organisers said the protests were not just a “flash in the pan” and would continue to escalate.

Church leaders, unions and the Muslim community in Ireland were among those represented in the Irish capital today in a bid to gather support for the action.

Richard Boyd Barrett, director of the Irish Anti-War Movement, accused the Government of collaborating in acts of terrorism by allowing the use of Shannon airport.

“We will make life unbearable for Bertie Ahern and his Government if they do not disassociate themselves from this war,” he told the press conference.

He said the Government had the “blood of innocent people on their hands” and had collaborated with the forces that carried out brutal attacks in Iraq.

“We are going to stay on the streets until the Government disassociates itself with this conflict,” he said.

Mr Boyd Barrett said that protesters intended to “besiege” Mr Ahern’s leadership with a number of rallies, including one this Saturday through the streets of Dublin.

Numerous demonstrations have been held in protest at the use of refuelling facilities at Shannon, amid claims this breaches Ireland’s tradition of military neutrality.

Brendan Butler of the NGO Peace Alliance said it was a fact that the Government was a member of the “coalition of the willing“.

He told today’s press conference that it was an insult for Mr Ahern to continue to declare that by offering Shannon it was not contributing to the invasion.

“The Taoiseach has involved us, the Irish people, against our will,” he said.

Mussa Algali, representing Irish Muslims for Peace and Justice, said the war was an aggression rather than a liberation and accused the Government of sitting on the fence.

SIPTU vice president Jack O’Connor said it was of absolute importance that the war was brought to an immediate conclusion.

“It is still within the bounds of possibility that we can avoid the worst excesses,” he said.

Protesters are due to gather at 3pm this Saturday in Parnell Square for the anti-war rally, which is being supported by a number of opposition politicians.