US Military in Shannon, Good for the Irish Economy

Thursday June 20, 2002 23:12

by Joe McGellan

Local media finally admit US are refuelling in Shannon

From this week's Limerick Leader. You may be able to see the whole story plus a picture of a USAF F-16 at Shannon at www.limerick-leader.ie on Saturday. The Leader is published several times a week, but only parts of the weekedn edition get updated on the website. Currently the website shows the June 15th edition. This story is dated for June 22nd. (the weekend edition comes out on Thursdays, but with Saturday's date.)

Call For US Air Force Exercises
Limerick Leader Thursday June 20th 2002 (Weekend Edition for Saturday 22nd)

By Jerome O’Connell

AN increase in Air Force exercises in Shannon Airport has been called for to help increase business in the town.
At this month’s Shannon Electoral Area meeting Cllr Pat McMahon proposed that Clare County Council would write to Aer Rianta requesting that they ask the American government to increase the Air Force exercises off Ireland’s West Coast. It would be of great economic benefit to Shannon, he said.
However, following discussions between the four councillors present, Cllr McMahon, Cllr Patricia McCarthy, Cllr John Crowe, and Cllr Tony Mulcahy, chairman, it was decided to amend the motion.
Seconded by Cllr McCarthy, the motion will now be forwarded to Clare County Council, asking that they write to Aer Rianta to request the Irish Government to increase the Air Force exercises off the West Coast, except where it compromises our neutrality.
According to Cllr McMahon, these aircraft carry no ammunition and pose no danger. “I openly welcome this traffic for economic basis – they have no ammunition on board. This has been going on for years and there has been no trouble. We have had military traffic in and out for years.” He said that a number of people had contacted him to say that they had no problem with the military presence in Shannon.
Cllr Patricia McCarthy said that she supported the idea of supporting the economy but questioned whether it was an inter-government debate.”
“I think for years things happened at Shannon and there was no great huba about it. At the moment, we are going to be left on our own and I think we should fight for every opportunity that brings revenue” she said.
However, she said that she has certain reservations about the motion, but only wanted to see the airport busy 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year”
“If it is just an exercise, I don’t see a problem”, she said. Chairman, Tony Mulcahy said that he had reservations and had difficulty supporting the motion.
“I have concerns will we never know what they are doing”, he said.
“We could be compromising our own neutrality for aircraft exercises”
“This involves very high-tech equipment, if a plane takes off in Shannon, where does it go to?” he queried. “We are half-way to the Middle East”, he warned. Cllr McMahon said that if Shannon did not give permission to Air Forces someone else would. It is nothing new at all, there have been exercises for 20 to 30 years”, he said.

Picture:
Picture subtitled “Military aircraft could be of economic benefit to Shannon”