Shannon Airport trespass trial hears of 'nicest and most courteous' peace protestors

The jury was shown a photograph of the two 80-year-old American men holding a banner saying: 'US veterans say respect Irish neutrality. American war machine out of Shannon Airport'

(Left to right) Ken Mayers and Tarak Kauff are accused of damaging a perimeter fence before allegedly trespassing the lands of Shannon Airport. Photo: Collins Courts

Two men in their 80s accused of criminal damage and trespass at Shannon Airport were “the nicest and most courteous protesters” an airport officer had ever met, their trial has heard.

Richard Moloney, a former police fire officer at Shannon Airport, told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that Ken Mayers (85) and Tarak Kauff (80) told him they were going to check an American aircraft when he apprehended them on a taxiway at the airport in March 2019.