Colm Roddy and Dave Donnellan arrested at Shannon

by Justin Morahan Wed May 25, 2016 10:45

https://www.facebook.com/afriireland/ Editor: Adding report as it will get lost within facebook

Please take 2 minutes to call Shannon Garda station (061-365900) & ask about whereabouts & welfare of our friends Dave Donnellan & Colm Roddy (74) who are missing following their arrest after a peaceful faith based protest at Shannon Airport. Feel free to say you are a concerned friend of theirs and are concerned for their welfare. Tel: Shannon Garda Station: 061-365900 and no harm to call office of Minister Frances Fitzgerald: 01-6028202

Statement from Joe Murray, Coordinator of Afri: "In light of the courageous faith actions of Colm Roddy and Dave Donnellan in exposing Shannon's bloody role in war, Afri calls on the government to end the use of Shannon as a warport. The consequences of the wars facilitated by Shannon are seen in the chaos in the Middle East region and the tzunami of refugees driven from their homes to which, in turn, Europe and Ireland has ruthlessly closed their borders."

by Shannonwatch - Shannonwatch Thu May 26, 2016 00:02

Statement from ShannonWatch

This morning at approx 6am there was a faith based action at Shannon Airport by Dave Donnellan and Colm Roddy in response to Irelands continuing support of US wars conducted in the middle east. They entered the airfield and sprayed the main runway with red crosses to represent all the innocent blood spilt by these wars. Two planes consecutively took off without them being detected until they reached a US military jet, located on the old runway 11 almost half a mile away, where they were arrested.

Dawn was just breaking so the light was not good for photos.

The jet was a US Air Force C-21, reg 84-0072. In addition there was another larger US military aircraft number 24452, which took off while Dave and Colm were close to the main runway, carrying a banner and an Irish flag, signifying Irish sovereignty being abuses by US military at Shannon airport. It seems amazing the Dave and Colm were not detected until they had crossed two runways and walked over half a mile waving the Irish flag.

As they walked passed the Irish Army patrol vehicle they were spotted by the soldiers who then alerted the Gardaí sitting in the nearby Garda Patrol car, and they then called the Airport Police who detained Dave and Colm. They were later transferred in to two Garda Patrol cars to Shannon Garda Station where presumably they are now being interrogated. Before Dave and Colm entered the air field, they said some prayers for peace, and for the victims of violence in the Middle East and for the suffering of refugees fleeing these wars being actively facilitated by the Irish Government, An Garda Siochana and the Shannon airport authority.

by Court Reporter Thu May 26, 2016 17:06

Today at Gort District Court, Dave Donnellan and Colm Roddy appeared before Judge James Faughan on charges of criminal damage to the fence at Shannon Airport.

A few things marked the cases out from the others being heard.

1. All other cases were being handled by a Garda Inspector acting in the role of prosecutor. In the case of Mr. Donnellan and Mr. Roddy Supt McDonagh was representing the State.

2. Usually the arresting officer gives oral evidence of arrest charge and caution, which everyone in court hears. This would also include any statement made by the accused in reply to the charge. In this case, the Gardaí merely handed up a statement to the court clerk (which the Judge didn't read - in fact he asked what the case was about, and the Supt described it in the vaguest of terms as if somehow the state was embarrassed to speak plainly about Shannon's non civilians uses).
Having spoken to the defendants after their release, they confirmed that they had indeed made a reply to the charge where they denied criminality, and referred to the criminal actions of the state and US military in killing and maiming innocent people in large numbers.

The Supt, acting for the state, said that further charges may be pending and that they were awaiting instructions from the DPP.
He said that the state would ask for bail conditions to include a prohibition on entering Co. Clare other than on court related matters.

Mr. Roddy objected to this, but the judge paid no heed. Regular readers of court reports from anti war actions will remember that Judge Mangan was quite fond of imposing such draconian bans, including on a certain Mr. Owen Rice, who challenged the ban, and had it overturned in a higher court, where the judge remarked that a ban on such a large section of the country could not be constitutional.

The case has been adjourned to Ennis District Court sitting on July 20th.

by Mary Kelly Thu Jul 07, 2016 12:57

thank you Colm and Dave for your inspiring work, very well done! Your courage and caring is in stark contrast to the actions of those who have the power to stop our complicity in war.

This week's Chilcot report exposes the insanity that so much power was given away to Blair, Bush and their war mongering cronies. We had Ahern and Cowen peddling their lies, backed up by a cowed judiciary, the Irish Army, Special Branch & Gardai, all heavily supported by the media. Memorable exceptions have been Co Clare based journalists and the Phoenix. Big thanks are due to Indymedia contributors for patiently picking apart the lies and spin and exposing the trolls.

The legality of the Government's policy for providing massive logistical support for these illegal wars must be challenged.

Best of luck next date in court- hope ye make plenty of hay!

by Mary Kelly Thu Jul 14, 2016 22:56

This film 'We Are Many' focuses on how 30 million people protested in 72 countries worldwide (including Antartica!) against UK & US plans for invading Iraq. Fantastic footage of the marches, great actions and spot-on speakers all which gave inspiration to the Arab Spring in Egypt years later.

It's not available yet online, here's a trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOpa8y2TIy8

by Maura Harrington - Shell to Sea Mon Jul 18, 2016 00:56

Can somebody please confirm that Colm and Dave are to appear in court on July 20th?

Thanks.

by Ciaron O'Reilly - Catholic Worker/ Ploughshares Wed Jul 20, 2016 09:56

I saw Dave yesterday.
They are appearing in court today.
Not sure which one