Member of North Strand Peace Group Arrested during Citizens Picket of Amiens St Top Oil Today

national | miscellaneous | news report Saturday April 05, 2003 22:16 by bobby ewing

Top Oil are providing fuel to US Military flights to Iraq travelling through Shannon airport

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20 People took part in the Picket which lasted two hours plus. One of the pickiters reported that only 6 to 7 vehicles broke the picket and that the majority of cars looking for fuel went elsewhere without complaint when it was explained to them that Top Oil was the main Fuel Provider for the US Military heading to Iraq via Shannon Airport.

Towards the end of the protest a member of the North Strand Peace Group made his way up onto the forecourt roof to do a 'banner drop' to point out to customers the connection between Top Oil and the US Military use of Shannon. At this point both Uniformed and Non-Uniformed Gardai made their way through the Picket and arrested him and brought him to Store Street Garda Station.

I spoke to him after his release and he indicated that he was treated well by the Gardai. He made a statement explaining the reasons for his action and was released without charge. A File has been sent to the DPP.

The Picket continued for a short time after the arrest at which stage the picketers made their way to the Store Street garda Station to await the release of the arrested man.