US transported Apache Helicopters to Israel through Shannon

The Irish independent reports:

" In February a cargo plane carrying three Boeing Apache helicopters, the type used by both the American and Israeli forces, landed at Shannon, where it stayed overnight before taking off for Israel.

When contacted last month both the Department of Transport, which is responsible for foreign civilian flights, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is responsible for foreign military flights, denied any knowledge of the flight.

This week, when presented with the serial numbers of the cargo planes and of the helicopters, they conceded the flights had taken place and said that they have launched an inquiry.

Although Shannon airport is routinely used by American planes in support of the ongoing occupation of Iraq, this is the first time it has emerged that Ireland also facilitates the sale of American heavy-arms sales. "

The antonov aircraft using shannon were first reported on Indymedia in February, including, what were then 'unconfirmed reports' of helicopters being transported through Shannon: http://www.indymedia.ie/article/74563#comment140451