In a bizarre encounter at Shannon airport, two of the war monitors at Shannon today came face to face with a group of US military personnel in the arrivals hall at Shannon airport. The monitors were in the public area, watching the three Hercules C-130s at the airport, and did not expect to see uniformed military personnel in the public part of the terminal. One monitor asked a simple question and both were ordered out of the terminal, at the behest of an anonymous special agent. Two inspectors, two Garda and several security personnel made sure we left the premises. They were very determined to get us out, and the whole thing raises a lot of questions. Today is Halloween so maybe they were just trick or treating? Strange and scary stuff…

Read on if you dare

Lots of information and debate on the Nice Treaty and the issues surrounding it is passing through Indymedia Ireland as the National ‘debate’ approaches it’s conclusion. Interestingly there has yet to be a post on Indymedia arguing in favour of a Yes Vote. Here is a selection of recent posts covering a plethora of issues.

Trade Unionists against Nice, ETUC position on the Nice Treaty, A Call to Action on Nice (includes comprehensive list of media contacts), League table of leaflets distributed by various No campaigns, Who butchered the Referendum Commission? , Who has the best Posters?, Comments on Opinion Polls, Splits emerging in Labour Party on Nice line, Justin Barrett and his links with Neo-Nazis, SIPTU Dublin Regional Conference calls for a No vote, Dail asked to interpret 'Irish NO vote' if Nice Treaty rejected, Anti-racist no campaigners outraged by media smears , Article 133 Information Group Open Letter .

Nice update
Despite the issue of Article 133 and its relationship to GATS finally getting some airing, 1 2 3 the Treaty of Nice was passed. This has lead to a lively debate on the Newswire: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

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.

The referendum on the Nice treaty on October 19th has produced a flurry of campaigning groups canvassing holding meetings and protests:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 for a No vote.
It as also produced some lively debate on the newswire 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
The Yes side includes major business organisations , most of the main political parties, farmers groups , the trade unions and Bono .
The resources of the Yes side are clearly higher, which might explain the posters. 1 2 3
A key issue for many IMCers is article 133 and its effect on Public Services: 1 2 3 4 5 6
Though politicians have been somewhat reluctant to discuss the issue.
While the yes side have had some problems , some unpleasant characters are calling for a no vote.
There have been complaints of media bias and activists are monitoring of the balance of the corporate media coverage. 1 2
Previous Indymedia Nice Treay features are here and here.
Read the Nice treaty for your self here.