Shannon demo report in today's Limerick Leader

limerick | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Friday October 03, 2003 18:50

by CAWC

The following article was published in the latest edition of the Limerick Leader, 4th October 2003.

START OF ARTICLE

ANTI-WAR GROUP IN CALL FOR PROTESTS

Anti-war activists have called for further protests over the use of Shannon Airport for the refuelling of US military planes.

At its agm at the weekend, the Irish Anti-War Movement agreed to stage a protest in Shannon in November. It also announced its intention to “conduct an educational campaign aimed at Irish soldiers on the reality of the ‘war on terror’ and today’s application of UN peacekeeping.”

On Saturday, about 3,000 demonstrators gathered outside Government Buildings in Dublin to protest at Ireland’s involvement in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. During the protest, Limerick-based anti-war activist Edward Horgan handed back his army medals in protest at the continued use of Shannon airport by the US military.

Meanwhile, Dr Fintan Lane has pledged to turn himself in to the Gardai if he is not arrested within the next two weeks. Dr Lane is facing 60 days in prison for refusing to pay a E750 fine for his part in a mass trespass in Shannon last October. “I have said publicly that I am not paying a fine and I am not going to plead guilty in retrospect. If the authorities don’t contact me within the next two weeks to arrange a date for my detention, I will make contact with them myself,” Dr Lane said. “I don’t want this thing hanging over me any longer,” he said.

November’s march from Shannon town centre to the airport is designed to highlight what the group claims is the continuing use of Shannon for refuelling by the US military. “The airport is being used to facilitate the occupation of Iraq and it is also being used to facilitate the occupation of Afghanistan,” said Dr Lane. “The campaign against the refuelling of US warplanes at Shannon will continue, and it is clear that civil disobedience needs to be deployed more vigorously as a tactic. The Government has blood on its hands and is complicit in the killings of innocent civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan. Civil disobedience is a legitimate tactic when human lives are at stake,” he said.

END OF ARTICLE

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Comments (6 of 6)

who wrote the article

by curious

Fri Oct 03, 2003 20:15

It would be nice to give credit.

Would do, if possible

Fri Oct 03, 2003 22:10

There was no 'by' line.

The Author

by Ray McInerney

Fri Oct 03, 2003 22:29

Its possibly Colm Ward (Third Section of LL).

Dunno

by Anon

Fri Oct 03, 2003 22:53

It was in the main paper, about 6 or 7 pages in, I think, in the page devoted to stuff to do with the Shannon area. Fair dues to whoever wrote it anyway.

Colm Ward

by Fintan Lane

Sat Oct 04, 2003 22:41

087 1258325

The journalist who wrote this report is Colm Ward, who covers Shannon for the Limerick Leader.

Clare Champion

Fri Oct 10, 2003 14:55

I've just seen last week's Clare Champion which carried a similar report, also flagging the demonstration to be held in November. Moreover, both the Limerick Leader and the Clare Champion carried largish reports on Ed Horgan's handing back of his military medals in disgust at the abuse of Shannon airport.

It seems that the local press intend to continue reporting on the outrageous integration of an Irish civilian airport into the US war machine. Shame on the nationals for dropping the ball!

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Shannon demo report in today's Limerick Leader

Comments (6 of 6)