PIT STOP ploughshares TO GET TRIAL DATE-Gather 9am Sharp at The Spire for Peace Walk to 4 Courts!

dublin | anti-war / imperialism | event notice Thursday July 15, 2004 22:38 by Pit Stop Ploughshares - Awaiting Trial in Dublin 087 918 4552 or 01- 492 6100

They're on Trial for Us, We're on the Loose for Them!

IT IS EXPECTED A TRIAL DATE WILL BE SET AT THIS HEARING ON MONDAY, JULY 26TH. WE ARE HOPING TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT STATEMENT AGAINST CONTINUED IRISH COMPLICITY IN THE WAR ON IRAQ ON THE WAY TO COURT. WE ASK YOU TO JOIN US ON MONDAY JULY 26TH.

The defense have vacated their initial applications in reference to discovery. The Prosecution have responded by dropping their judicial review. It is expected a trial date for October or November will be set at the hearing on Monday July 26th.

.*9 am sharp gathering at The Spire, (nr. GPO O'Connel St.).
*9.20 am Single file peace walk to the Four Courts.
*9.45 am Solidarity Vigil Outside the Four Courts.
*Please wear black in memory of the war dead.

*Defendants will provide the visuals (banners, placards etc please respect!)

Deirdre Clancy, Nuin Dunlop, Karen Fallon, Damien Moran & Ciaron O'Reilly
are awaiting trial charged with two counts of criminal damage ($US 2.5
million & 200 euros). Charges arise out of their 3/2/03 nonviolent
disarmament of a U.S. Navy War Plane at Shannon Airport en route to the
invasion of Iraq. Shannon Airport continues to host 10,000 U.S. troops a
month, enroute to the invasion and occupation of Iraq. On March of this
year, the figure rose to almost 17,000 troops.

In December 2003, (trial) Judge Mathews ordered the Prosecution to provide
further discovery to the ploughshares defendants. The discovery ordered
relates to the nature of U.S. military flights stopping off at Shannon in
the four months preceeding to the action. The Prosecution are keen to strip
the disarmament of any military context and reduce it to vandalism.

One working day before the discovery was due (26/1/04) the Prosecution team
was replaced and moves began to get Judge Mathews to reverse his December
decision. The ploughshares have returned to the Four Courts five times in
February as these Prosecution machinations played themselves out. On Feb.
29th. Judge Mathews ruled "it is as it was" on the discovery question.The
Prosecution subsequently indicated they were initiating a judicial review on
Judge Mathews discovery rulings. Judicial reviews can take up to 18 months to 3 years.

The defense have vacated their initial applications in reference to discovery. The Prosecution have responded by dropping their judicial review. It is expected a trial date for October or November will be set at the hearing on Monday July 26th.

We ask you to accompany the Pit Stop ploughshares to the Four Courts on Monday, July 26th.

http://www.ploughsharesireland.org