Activists refuse to rule out more attacks on US planes

The five anti war activists who were found not guilty yesterday of criminally damaging a US Navy aircraft at Shannon Airport are refusing to rule out similar actions in the future.

The five, all members of the Catholic Worker organisation, were acquitted after a jury accepted that they attacked the aircraft with hammers and an axe in 2003 in the defence of Iraqi civilians and property.

They are now demanding an apology from the Government for taking the case against them.

Spokesman Ciaron O'Reilly said today that his action was a matter of conscience and he would be happy to do it again in the interests of peace.