Shannon - Photos and some relevant points / notes

national | miscellaneous | news report

Monday January 20, 2003 13:57

by John Jefferies

Just a few more photos to record the weekend's events at Shannon and a few points.

There was a great atmosphere at the Shannon Peace Camp on Friday night. It was my first time being there since the camp was established and it was great to see the solidarity and cameraderie there. Hot spuds roasted over the campfire and tea from a leaking teapot. A half dozen suspicious looking planes came and departed. One was more obvious - a Hercules which may have been a mid air refuelling tanker.

At least three ATA planes arrived with their strange palm tree tail markings (see photo). Then the strangest arrival of all early Saturday morning. I'm not an expert on planes, but it looked like a 737 which had been completely painted over recently. The airline name was painted over in grey and the only marking was a US flag on the tail and the serial number YA-FAK beneath it. I contacted Tim Hourigan who looked it up. YA, it emerged, is the country code for Afghanistan. An Afghan plane with a US flag on its tail - sitting outside terminal 36 at Shannon Airport!

Polar Air also arrived (see photo) - I'm told that while they sometimes come on 'legitimate' business to Shannon, Polar also has a huge military contract with the United States. Perhaps it was carrying more hamburgers!

save preference

Comments (6 of 6)

Please can comments like the above be deleted.

by Nicholas - CPA

Mon Jan 20, 2003 14:06

Sorry, I forgot

Mon Jan 20, 2003 14:07

Also wanted to mention the officious attitude of Airport Police who went beyond any remit to maintain security of the airport. I was turned back on Friday night by the AP because I had a camera and some anti-war posters in my car. I offered to leave them and walk in to the terminal. I identified myself as a plane spotter (which is true), and was told that "you protesters" are threatening the airport and we were bad for business!.

On Saturday I was outside the fence photographing planes and using binoculars to note ID numbers. An Airport Police van (AP-14) came along and parked in front of me to block the view of the Afghan plane I mentioned above. I moved a few feet and they followed. I moved back to my origninal position. It went on for ten minutes and they were determined to prevent me from seeing or photographing the plane.

Re. deleted comments

by Ray

Mon Jan 20, 2003 15:28

Grow up. This is not a school playground and we have better things to do with our time.

King Mob

Mon Jan 20, 2003 17:17

If you have some news to report, or a political point to make, do so. But I've had enough of the random insults and general crap, so either learn to show some respect for the site and the people who use it or find somewhere else to post.

I Will Make Ray Pay

by King Mob

Mon Jan 20, 2003 17:55

You malnourished Makhnovite. You will be spared from the bomb. I will make you eat a complete set of Workers Solidarity and hardcopies of your IMC ravings.

Lets see how you like eating your own shit.

Please. Somebody help me.

Mon Jan 20, 2003 18:02

Or not. I don't think there's any urgency here.

Number of comments per page

Upcoming Events

New Events

Other Press

User Preferences

Feeds

Blog Feeds

The Saker

Public Inquiry

Human Rights in Ireland

Lockdown Skeptics

Shannon - Photos and some relevant points / notes

Comments (6 of 6)