Successful demo at Shannon (with photos)

national | miscellaneous | news report

Saturday August 17, 2002 19:20

by John Jefferies - The Workers' Party (Cork)

wpcork at eircom dot net

15 Fr. Mathew Quay, Cork

US Military landings and refueling challenged

Crowd demonstrate opposition to refueling and landing of US military war planes at civilian airport in "neutral" Ireland.

Approximately 150 people converged at Shannon Airport, Co. Clare this afternoon (Saturday) to protest at the granting of refueling and landing rights to US military planes by the Irish Government.

A large garda presence was evident at the external gate, about a mile from the main airport building. However the peaceful demonstrators broke through the garda cordon in a non violent manner. A number of those present spoke outside the main arrivals terminal where the crowd gathered. A number of people lay down on on the roadway and after initially attempting to move them the gardai changed their mind. There were many cameras on them and they were obviously afraid of a repeat of the negative publicity they got after their carry-on at the Reclaim the Streets earlier this year.

Some speakers referred to the irony that the Garda Siochana (Guardians of the Peace) were manhandling peaceful protesters while a serious threat to peace - the US military aircraft - were welcomed by the goverment.

Shortly before the protest started a US Hercules C-130 military plane landed at Shannon. It took off about an hour and a half later. Apparently they were alarmed at our presence.