Shannon Peace Camp to be Dismantled

Tuesday February 04, 2003 17:52

by Janus

This seems a little odd. A FGer just mailed me gloating about it.

Shannon peace camp to be dismantled

February 4, 2003

(16:37) A spokesperson for the Shannon peace camp has confirmed to RTE News that they are to dismantle the camp. The spokersperson said it will take them a day or two to dismantle all of the tents and caravans on the site.

She said that the decision had been taken because the camp had become a media circus and that they now wanted to focus attention on the other issues arising from the use of Shannon Airport by the US military.

She added that they would continue their opposition to the flights in different ways.

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Aer Rianta is to seek an injunction in the High Court tomorrow restricting those at the Shannon peace camp from trespassing on airport property.

However this morning camp organisers said they would be resisting the bid to move them.

Spokesman Ed Horgan said they would be challenging Aer Rianta's claim that it owns the land on which they are camped.

Haass describes attacks as 'outrageous'

President Bush's Special envoy to the North, Richard Haass, has described the attacks on a US aircraft at Shannon as outrageous.

Following a meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, Mr Haass said he was satisfied that measures were now being taken which would allow US troops to continue using Shannon.

He said the United States valued the use of Shannon as one of the most effective ways of moving personnel and equipment around the globe.

Mr Haass stressed the importance of the use of Shannon for the build up of troops in the Gulf, and said he was satisfied that this could continue in safety thanks to measures being taken by the Irish Government.

The Ambassador also praised the Taoiseach and Minister Cowen for their diplomatic support in recent months