US Navy patrols Cobh quayside: Anti-War Ireland demo called against US warship

cork | anti-war / imperialism | news report Saturday July 08, 2006 23:49 by Anti-War Ireland (Cork) antiwarireland at gmail dot com 086 3004573

Anti-war activist stopped on Irish quayside by US Navy personnel

A US warship - USS The Sullivans - docked at the Deepwater Quay in Cobh, Co. Cork, early today where it was spotted almost immediately by local anti-war activists. It is understood that the ship is staying until Monday and is currently being refuelled by a tanker from Reynolds Oil.

Late this evening a member of Anti-War Ireland, who was investigating the ship, was prevented from entering the quayside by members of the US Navy. This is a public quayside, Irish soil and a popular walkway; it is utterly unacceptable that it is being policed by members of a foreign navy.

AWI locally has also been informed that the ship's captain has extended an invitation to members of Cobh Urban District Council to visit the ship. It is expected that several councillors will decline this invitation, including the local Sinn Fein councillor, Kieran McCarthy, who attended a recent AWI picket against a US training ship. Cllr McCarthy has also expressed his support for Anti-War Ireland's objections to this present docking.

Anti-War Ireland has called a picket against this ship of death for 2pm tomorrow and a good turnout is hoped for. US warships have become regular visitors to Cork harbour in recent years and it is important that we raise our voices against their presence. We need to send out a strong message that these killing machines are not welcome in Irish ports.

A train leaving Cork at 1pm will get people to the protest on time and there are also good bus routes into the town.

Time of protest: 2pm, Sunday, 9 July.

Place: Deepwater Quay, alongside Cobh railway station.

For further information, phone John Jefferies, Anti-War Ireland (Cork), at 086 3004573