Anti-war protesters target Derry missile firm

Anti-war protesters today occupied the Derry office of a US company that makes weapons used in the war in Iraq.

Anti-war protesters today occupied the Derry office of a US company that makes weapons used in the war in Iraq.

Police moved in to remove about a dozen protesters who staged a sit-in at the office of Raytheon Systems Ltd, one of the world's largest defence companies, which makes Patriot and Tomahawk missiles.

The company said the office was primarily engaged in software development for air-traffic control systems and had no involvement in making weapons.

But protest spokesman Mr Robbie McVeigh said he was unconvinced and promised groups throughout Ireland would continue to target Raytheon.

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"I think you will find that Raytheon in Derry is going to be a key focus for anti-war protests across Ireland. Raytheon are the main manufacturers of the missiles that are killing civilians across Iraq," he said.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman said there were no plans to charge those who entered the Raytheon offices earlier today.

He said the group had given a deadline by which they would leave the premises but were forcibly removed by about 20 officers because they were disrupting the company's business.

PA