On Thursday, 2nd January blockades were raised at Carrickmines Castle due to the presence of heavy equipment, contrary to the agreement between the Carrickminders and the archaeological contractor, Valerie J. Keeley Inc.
At 8 a.m., approximately 20 protestors who had stayed the night were joined by local residents and the media to greet the archaeologists. The Carrickminders took down the blockade when they received assurances from company representatives that the large JCB digger would be removed from the site and all of the backfilled areas would be uncovered again before the end of the dig.
At 3pm Friday the blockades were raised again by locking the gate at the entrance of the Castle's site in S. Co. Dublin. This was due to the archaeologists moving a large digger out the Castle yard to the south side of the enclosure using it for Archeology work. In a statement the Carrickminders said they would "allow archeological excavations to continue but will peacefully prevent large diggers and machinery from entering the sensitive archeological site. The peaceful blockade will continue Monday and until such time as the digger as removed completely from the Castle site."

See photos of the blockade
The Carrickminders site for up to date information and how to help.

The monitoring of Shannon Airport continues with new reports of foreign planes in the Aer Lingus colours and the establishment of a Womens No To War camp.
Much coverage has been given to previous actions at Shannon but the trial notes of Eoin Dubsky for spray painting a plane at the airport are also well worth a read.
As well as Eoins notes, Tim Hourigan contributes an excellent commentary on what is turning out to be a court test of whether activists have a "lawful excuse..." for actions which resist the war. After a long day of testimony with 13 people taking the witness stand, and a detailed legal submission by the defense, the case has been adjourned until next year.

As the US military continues to use Shannon airport to refuel enroute to Afghanistan, anti-war groups have converged on the outfields and the infields, with one person running into the path of a US warplane. 2 arrests were made as protestors ripped down fencing and were tackled by Gardaí.
Full report and photos from one of the protests on saturday 15th December.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern illegally sanctioned the use of Shannon airport without the consent of the Dáil or People of Ireland. This directly contravenes Article 28.3.1 of the Irish Constitution, which reads: "War shall not be declared and the State Shall not participate in any war save with the assent of Dáil Eireann". US military forces have been using Shannon at least as early as September 30th. One of the first peace vigils was held on 25th september.

Audio: reports of Shannon protests and Irish Anti-war movement speeches.
Photo montages:
1 Shannon PEACE protesters confront US Marines
2 Irish Anti War Movement at Shannon 
3 World airlines plane carrying US marines in background while gardaí tackle protesters
4 World airlines plane refuel at night

Video: Peace protesters confront US Marines

Ireland is gearing up for an unprecedented burst of Anti-War activity in December. Here is a digest of recent stories on the IMC Ireland Newswire.

• Belfast Demo 7th December
• Limerick Public Anti-War Meeting
• Dublin Public Meeting
• Home of the Brave Re-write/ Code Pink Alert
• Raytheon Vigil 7th December
• Dublin Anti-War Demo 7th December
• Global Womens Strike Call to Action
• Basic Statistics for US Imperialism
• US to attack Iraq whatever happens
• Why did Ireland vote yes to UN Resolution 1441
• Shut Shannon Warport Dec 8th
• Call for Direct Action at Shannon
• How to get to Shannon Protest
• Shannon Peace Camp appeal for Support
• Taxpayers pay for Military Overflights/refuelling
• Councillors defend US Military Use of Shannon Airport
• Eoin Dubsky's Upcoming Court Case
• Standard Grassroots Gathering VS Irish Anti-War Movement Bunfight
• All the Background you need from Tim Hourigan

Caoimhe Butterly was shot in the leg by soldiers firing live ammunition in the Jenin refugee camp this morning. A British UN Official was also shot dead. This is the second time Caoimhe has been injured this year by the Israeli Defence Forces. She is in Palestine acting as a human rights monitor as are several other Irish Citizens.

IMC Ireland has published a lot of personal accounts from Irish citizens who have travelled to Palestine in Solidarity with the Palestinian people over the last few days and months. Some of the most up to date are linked to below. More complete information on the Irish Volunteers in Palestine, some of whom have been deported in the last couple of weeks, can be found at the website of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Interview with Caoimhe Today link
Old Observer profile of Caoimhe link
Mid-November report on re-invasion of Jenin Accounts from Tracey and Peter from Gluaiseacht (1) (2) (3)
Accounts from Mary Kelly (1) (2) (3)
Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign