Pitstop Ploughshares Welcome World Airways Withdrawal

and Urge End of Militarisation of Shannon Airport

The Pitstop Ploughshares welcome the withdrawal of World Airways from the use of Shannon Airport.

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The Pitstop Ploughshares, who are facing a third trial in Dublin's Four Courts in July, greatly welcome the withdrawal of World Airways from Shannon Airport. World Airways withdrew from the use of Shannon previously for three months, immediately following the Pitstop Ploughshares disarmament of a US warplane at Shannon Airport in February, 2003, which was had been closely preceded by Mary Kelly's disarmament action. The Pitstop Ploughshares now urge German peace activists to let World Airways know in no uncertain terms that the US military is not welcome in Leipzig.

Spokesperson Deirdre Clancy said: 'We are happy that World Airways will no longer be using an Irish civilian airport as a refuelling stopover to sevice the illegal occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq. We urge the Irish government to end the use of Shannon Airport by the US military altogether by demanding that American Trans Air and North American Airlines follow suit.'

'We also condemn the "hear no evil, see no evil" approach of the Irish government in allowing CIA kidnap and torture flights through Shannon Airport, which amounts to collusion with breaches of international law. This issue was first brought to public attention by Shannon-based peace activists, such as Edward Horgan and Tim Hourigan, who have now been fully vindicated by the Council of Europe. The tide of complacent acceptance of Irish complicity in crimes against humanity is turning, and it is time now to end the militarisation of Shannon Airport.'

The Pitstop Ploughshares go on trial for the third time on July 5th after the collapse of their previous two trials. Their last trial collapsed because it emerged that trial judge Donagh McDonagh was personally acquainted with the current US administration. This acquaintance included attendance at the first inauguration of George W. Bush and an invitation to the second at the instigation of the now disgraced Republican politician Tom DeLay. The Pitstop Ploughshares have now been on bail for three and a half years.

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Contact - Deirdre Clancy - 086 151 2013; Ciaron O'Reilly - 087 9184552
www.peaceontrial.com