Limerick set for protest over axing of Shannon-Heathrow link

The mayors of the Mid-West today called for thousands of people to join a weekend rally in the continuing battle to save the vital Shannon-Heathrow air link.

Amid controversy over why civil servants withheld news of the Aer Lingus pull-out during the summer, the region’s leaders have asked for the public to stand and fight the move at a demonstration in Limerick city centre.

Mayors of Limerick city, Clare and Tipperary North and Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council have joined forces with the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance (ACA) and the Shannon Action Group to secure support.

Michael Vaughan, ACA, called on people to hold the Government to account by taking to the streets.

“We want people to come out on Saturday and show the Government their resolve to hold them to account and reverse this decision – a strong government needs strong regions,” he said.

An internal review in the Department of Transport is under way after Transport Minister Noel Dempsey confirmed his officials did not notify him of the proposed Shannon cutback for six weeks.

They first received a memo in mid-June.

The minister told the Dail at the end of last month he was told Heathrow slots would be transferred to a new Belfast hub at a meeting on August 3 with Aer Lingus chairman John Sharman and chief executive Dermot Mannion.

And the airline said the Government was only notified of the executive decision in favour of the north a few days before it was made public.

Mid-West representatives claimed the Government has betrayed them.

“It is beyond credibility that a major memo about the future of Shannon Airport that was marked for the minister’s attention would not be shown to him for six weeks,” Mayor of Limerick Ger Fahy said.

The mayors want the Government to step in and save the Shannon-Heathrow service and protect the region’s vital international air links.

The Save-the-Shannon-Slots rally is being held at 2pm in Limerick's O'Connell Street.

Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council Kevin Sheahan said: “Now more than ever the people should come out and vote with their feet on Saturday and join us in demonstrating to Dublin their utter disappointment with the way this has been handled from the beginning.”

Mayor of Clare Patricia McCarthy said ordinary people should come out and show their total disgust at the way the West has been treated.

Mr Dempsey faced calls for his resignation in the Dáil over the departmental scandal but he defended his position insisting it was human error.