Peace alliance Spokesperson Critical of Catholic Worker Action at Shannon: So is Bertie it seems.

Monday February 03, 2003 13:50

by Eamonn Crudden

'I think it is ironic that those that feted Fr Berrigan on his recent visit to Dublin are now basically backing up the line being spun by 'Willie's Doktors'

Five arrested at Shannon Airport

February 3, 2003

(12:24) Five people have been arrested at Shannon Airport and are being questioned by Gardaí.

Gardaí say the five - three women and two men - were detained at approximately 4am today after they gained access to a hangar and damaged a US military aircraft. Three are being held at Ennis, two in Shannon.

It is understood the five managed to enter the old SRS hangar at the airport where the US Navy plane was being repaired.

advertisement

advertisement
A woman was remanded in custody last week after causing damage estimated at €500,000 to the same aircraft.

It is understood the group, who range in age from early 20s to early 40s, overpowered a Garda who was on duty there. Gardaí say they claim to be from a pacifist Catholic Worker movement. `

The Peace Alliance, representing a number of religious orders and congregations has criticised the action.

Brendan Butler, spokesman for the Alliance, called the attack 'counter-productive' and appealed to the demonstrators to use peaceful means only.

He said his alliance was focussing on mobilising support for an international day of protest against the war next Saturday week, and said actions like this morning's only frightened supporters of this peaceful action.

The Catholic Worker Movement - founded seventy years ago in America by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin - advocates renouncing war forever as an instrument of policy.

It has over 185 communities worldwide, including one recently established in Dublin.