State putting our neutrality at grave risk

DEBATE on the status of Ireland’s neutrality is certain to be rekindled by today’s shock revelation that an Israeli request to transport 28 Patriot missiles to the United States through Shannon Airport was granted by the Coalition government.

Evidence also points to an American cargo of Cruise missiles labelled as rocket motors over-flying Ireland during the Kosovo war.

These disclosures go to the heart of bitter controversy surrounding the Government’s decision to permit the use of Shannon as a transit centre for American troops with weapons and ammunition destined for the war in Iraq which lacked the authority of UN sanction.