The biggest Protest yet against the US Military use of Shannon Airport took place on Saturday 12th October. After a pretty standard protest – (some pushing and shoving at the entrance to the airport, speeches, an open mic, a funny standoff between a group of public representatives and the Police, music, chanting, a die-in) – a number of activists took down the fence marking the airport perimeter and initiated a mass Trespass on the grass beside a runway.

Lots of first hand accounts and reports from individuals and groups involved in the protest have been posted on Indymedia since the weekend and these have generated a huge level of debate centered around the mass direct action, the way the protest was organized and conducted, and the numerous arrests that took place in the course of the trespass. The event was widely reported in the mainstream media and has greatly increased public awareness of US Military use of the airport in the buildup to a possible war in Iraq. >

Reports Collected Below:

6 Arrested according to RTE

Cork Peace Alliance Press Release

Irish Anti War Movement Report

Mass Trespass Report

Salivating Dogs at Shannon

Anti War Questions Read Previous Article

A protest against an international privatisation conference at Dublin's Burlington hotel turned violent when the Gardai (Irish police) attacked protesters with batons. They were aided by a number of non uniformed men armed with sticks and torches, some of who may have been political police (Special Branch) but others appeared to be private security.

One of the non uniformed men attacked photographers including this reporter, attempting to smash their cameras to the ground. Under the attack the protesters retreated out of the hotel car park and down the street. At least twelve were arrested and at least two protesters received head wounds. The one pictured below appears to be the less serious of the two.

After I gave my camera to someone else to take care of I returned to demand the name of the person who had tried to smash it. At this stage he was at the centre of a group of uniformed Gardai. Some of these had removed their numbers from their uniforms.