Two arrested during anti-war protest at Shannon Airport

The crowds object to the facility being used by the US military

Cairde Palestine Belfast and Mothers Against Genocide also helped organise today’s protest, which is to be followed by another one on Sunday

Two people have been arrested in relation to public order incidents at Shannon Airport on Saturday afternoon where an anti-war protest was held.

The arrests came after roads in and out of the airport were blocked by protesters who object to the facility being used by the US military.

An estimated crowd of around 1,200 protestors had gathered at the airport by about 2pm.

Cairde Palestine Belfast and Mothers Against Genocide also helped organise today’s protest, which is to be followed by another one on Sunday.

There was a large Garda presence ahead of today’s event with local members from the amalgamated Clare and Tipperary divisions backed up with Garda Public Order Unit officers from Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Cork.

From early morning, one lane of the N19 main road into Shannon Airport was closed while Gardaí checked vehicles including busses before they were allowed continue to the airport. Only intending passengers, airport and industrial estate workers or those with business in the airport were allowed continue past the checkpoints.

It is not known the extent to which military aid is being transported to Israel via Shannon. But according to Shanonwatch, one of the organizers of today’s protest, there were “at least” three US warplanes at Shannon Airport on Friday.

Politicians who attended the protest today included People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett.

The US is Israel’s major arms supporter, having given it €16.3bn in aid since Israeli started retaliating against Hamas and Hezbollah after the October 7 attacks by Hamas on southern Israel.

A spokesperson for the airport said: "A protest which took place this afternoon on the outskirts of the airport grounds has concluded.

"We are pleased to confirm that throughout the protest, there were no disruptions to airport operations.

"An Garda Síochána implemented planned road diversions, which allowed passengers to access the airport without issue, despite traffic operating on one lane.

"A shuttle bus service was also in operation, transporting some passengers to the terminal building.

"Passengers had been advised via the airport's social media channels in the days leading up to the event to allow extra time for their journey.

"All flights at the airport operated on schedule, and there were no delays or cancellations as a result of the event."