Councilors defend us use of shannon

national | miscellaneous | news report Monday November 18, 2002 16:45 by joe o muircheartaigh - the clare champion barrack street ennis co clare 0656828105

clare champion friday,november15th 2002

Shannon could be exposed as a terrorist target because of the antics of an individual who put details of a protest march against US aircraft refueling at the airport on the internet.

Shannon could be exposed as a terrorist target because of the antics of an individual who put details of a protest march against US aircraft refueling at the airport on the internet.
thia terrorist claim was levelled at the monthly meeting of Clare County Council this monday which say the use of U.S. military planes defended by councilors.
Support for what could yet be part of a U.S. war effort against Iraq came as some of those who have taken part in protest marches in Shannon were described as anarchists,
"I defend the right of people to demonstrate but a small minority of them are anarchists,"Fianna Fail repesentative Pat McMahon told the the County Council meeting.
Meanwhile,according to Fine Geals Tony Mulcahy"Shannon has been exposed as a terrorist target" because of the protestor who puts his airport"exploits on the website".
"this was grosslyirressponsible and there is a serious probability that it will create a danger to familes in the town,"added councilor Mulcahy.
Councilor Pat McMahondefened the right of the continued use of Shannon by the U.S. aircraft going through Shannon Airport."There is a long tradition of military aircraft going through Shannon Airport.During the Cold War military aircraft were going to and from Cuba.Somepeople can even remember American aircraft goingthrough as far back as 1949."
"Aircraft stopping at Shannon is a long-standing tradition.A vast majority of the demonstrators come from outside the midwest region and i repeat that a minority of them are anachists," added councilor McMahon.
"It is a well know fact that Shannon has been use in the past.Every side has used Shannon and the decision to allow the airpot to be used ultimately rests with the Department of Foreign affairs",said indepentant councilor Patrica McCarthy.