Warplane disarmers out of jail

national | miscellaneous | news report Friday March 14, 2003 12:28 by Eoin Dubsky

Ploughshares update

Damien and Deidre are out, Karen and Nuin are still in, and Ulla disarmed a Tornado in Scotland.

1) Damien and Deirdre Out

Damien Moran and Deirdre Clancy were released on bail from Limerick Prison today. They have been in custody since their participation in the Feb 3rd. "Pit Stop Ploughshares" disarmament of a U.S. Navy War Plane at Shannon Airport. They join Ciaron O'Reilly on the outside. Drinks to welcome them out Friday night (14th.) More info 087 918 4552

2) Karen and Nuin In

Karen Fallon and Nuin Dunlop remain in Limerick Prison since their participation in the Feb 3rd. "Pit Stop Ploughshares" disarmament of a U.S. Navy War Plane at Shannon Airport, County Clare Ireland. Letters of support can be written c/- Ploughshares 210 Le Fanu Rd. Ballyfermot Dublin 10 Ireland (they will be redirected should they be released or transferred etc.)

3) Ulla Roder Confirms Leuchars Tornado "Out of Action"

TRIDENT PLOUGHSHARES

Press Release: 12th March 2003

Ulla Roder Confirms Leuchars Tornado "Out of Action"

Today Trident Ploughshares activist Ulla Roder confirmed that the Tornado jet which she damaged yesterday at Leuchars airbase is unlikely to fly again.

Ulla (48), from Odense in Denmark, but currently living in Scotland, described how she went into a hangar at the Fife airbase and discovered the plane completely unguarded. She said: "I took my hammer to the nose-cone, the cockpit, the fuselage, the wings, the tailplane and other parts of the plane which it was safe to damage. I don't see it flying again. I then sat down and waited for the security people to arrive. When the police came everything was calm and relaxed." She is in good spirits and pleased that this particular aircraft will not be dropping bombs on innocent people in Iraq.

This morning Ulla appeared at private hearing at Cupar Sheriff Court and was remanded to Cornton Vale Prison in Stirling on petition until another hearing takes place next Thursday. Currently the charge against her is one of criminal damage. Until investigations are complete the cost of the damage will not be known but may run to over £1 million.

A Trident Ploughshares spokesperson said: "Ulla's action gives a huge lift to the anti-war movement and will inspire other peaceful and nonviolent acts to put a spoke in the wheel of the Blair war machine."

Ulla is well known as one of the Trident Three who were acquitted by a Scottish court after damaging the Trident research barge Maytime in 1999. She has served several prison terms for anti-Trident actions.

Contacts: David Mackenzie 0870 458 3117 (07876593016)

Jane Tallents 08454588367

media@tridentploughshares.org

www.tridentploughshares.org

Newsline (recorded) 08454588365