Anti-war protesters occupy Derry software firm

Anti-war demonstrators have occupied the premises of a software development firm in Derry in protest at the company's links to the arms industry and in particular the Israeli Defence Forces.

Nine people - including civil rights campaigner Eamonn McCann - forced their way into the Raytheon Systems plant in the city's Springtown industrial estate when the doors opened this morning.

Mr McCann told ireland.comthe company's technology is used in the manufacture of several high-tech missiles currently being deployed on civilian targets in the Middle East.

He claimed Raytheon Systems was a major supplier of high-tech equipment to Israeli Defence Forces.

Mr McCann said those who are currently occupying the building were part of the Derry Anti-War Coalition, which is now calling on Raytheon Systems to cease doing business in the North.

"We will stay here as long as we can," he insisted. "This is a high-tech business, making technology which is capable of a number of appliances, some of which we see on our television screens daily with the attacks on Lebanon."

Two PSNI negotiators have been flown in from Belfast to mediate with the protesters.

Mr McCann confirmed the group was negotiating with the PSNI officers.

A PSNI spokesman said he hoped the situation could be resolved promptly and peacefully.

Chairperson of the Irish Anti-War Movement Richard Boyd Barrett paid tribute to the demonstrators, saying "everybody who is disgusted at the barbaric slaughter of innocent civilians being carried out by Israel in Lebanon and Gaza should pay tribute to the action of the Derry protesters."

Mr Boyd Barrett said: "It is outrageous that weapons being used by a rogue state like Israel engaged in a criminal military attack and flouting international law are being produced here in Ireland."

"It is tragic that the Raytheon factory was held up at the time of its opening as an example of the 'peace-dividend' for the North, when its function is exporting death and destruction to innocent people in Lebanon, Israel and beyond," he added.