Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DUBLIN255
2006-03-10 16:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dublin
Cable title:
CHARGES AGAINST SHANNON PROTESTORS DROPPED
how-toVZCZCXRO5318 RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ DE RUEHDL #0255 0691655 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 101655Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY DUBLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6603 INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES
UNCLAS DUBLIN 000255
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PGOV PTER EI
SUBJECT: CHARGES AGAINST SHANNON PROTESTORS DROPPED
On March 9, charges against four anti-war activists,
arrested on September 17, 2005, for protesting alleged
U.S. "rendition flights" going through Shannon airport,
were withdrawn. In Shannon District Court, Inspector
Kevin Moynihan told Judge Joseph Mangan that charges
against Niall Harnett (39) and Conor Cregan (33) for
failing to comply with the lawful requirement of an
authorized person under the Air Navigation and Transport
Act were being withdrawn. The two had gained access to a
balcony in the main airport terminal to display banners
calling on the GOI to stop the U.S. military and CIA
using Shannon as a "pit-stop" for transporting prisoners.
Charges against two other anti-war activists, Margaret
Liddy and St John O'Donnabhain, arrested on the same day,
but who were not on the balcony, were also withdrawn.
They had been charged with failing to identify themselves
properly to airport police under section 33 of the Air
Navigation and Transport Act. No reason was given for
the decision to drop the charges against the four. After
the proceedings Cregan called on the GOI to withdraw re-
fuelling facilities and over-flight permission to the
U.S. military. He said, "We cannot sit idly by while the
Government lets the country's second international
airport become an ad hoc U.S. military base."
BENTON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PGOV PTER EI
SUBJECT: CHARGES AGAINST SHANNON PROTESTORS DROPPED
On March 9, charges against four anti-war activists,
arrested on September 17, 2005, for protesting alleged
U.S. "rendition flights" going through Shannon airport,
were withdrawn. In Shannon District Court, Inspector
Kevin Moynihan told Judge Joseph Mangan that charges
against Niall Harnett (39) and Conor Cregan (33) for
failing to comply with the lawful requirement of an
authorized person under the Air Navigation and Transport
Act were being withdrawn. The two had gained access to a
balcony in the main airport terminal to display banners
calling on the GOI to stop the U.S. military and CIA
using Shannon as a "pit-stop" for transporting prisoners.
Charges against two other anti-war activists, Margaret
Liddy and St John O'Donnabhain, arrested on the same day,
but who were not on the balcony, were also withdrawn.
They had been charged with failing to identify themselves
properly to airport police under section 33 of the Air
Navigation and Transport Act. No reason was given for
the decision to drop the charges against the four. After
the proceedings Cregan called on the GOI to withdraw re-
fuelling facilities and over-flight permission to the
U.S. military. He said, "We cannot sit idly by while the
Government lets the country's second international
airport become an ad hoc U.S. military base."
BENTON