A judge yesterday refused to lift a ban on anti-war activist Ms Mary Kelly (50) entering Co Clare after a senior garda expressed "serious concern" over the application.
At Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, the retrial of Ms Kelly, who is charged with causing the criminal damage of a US military aircraft at Shannon on January 29th, 2003, was adjourned to June 15th.
Ms Kelly was first tried last July, when a jury failed to reach a verdict in the case where Ms Kelly is accused of causing €1.5 million in damage to the aircraft.
In court yesterday, Ms Kelly made an application to have her bail conditions varied. She was seeking to have her ban on entering Co Clare lifted and have her passport returned.
However, the State objected. Supt John Kerin told the court it was "essential" that the ban on Ms Kelly entering Co Clare remained in place. Supt Kerin said there were two EU conferences taking place in the Shannon area in the next two months and other dignatories might be visiting the area shortly.
Supt Kerin said that five other anti-war activists charged with the criminal damage of the same US aircraft at Shannon last February had also in recent days made applications to have their bans on entering Co Clare lifted.
He said Ms Kelly was closely affiliated with the five and was with them on their last court appearance in Dublin. "I find it very strange that they are all looking to come to Clare at the same time."
He added: "They have all applied with the same purpose of causing further impact to the two EU conferences." Supt Kerin also objected to Ms Kelly having her passport returned, telling the court that she was facing a very serious charge.
Asked about the possibility of US President George Bush visiting Shannon, Supt Kerin said: "There has been media speculation on that matter, but the gardaí have not been informed that he is coming."
The court was told that Ms Kelly was seeking to have her ban on entering Clare lifted so she would be available for nursing work at Carrigoran nursing home, and that having her passport returned would allow here travel to conferences abroad.
Judge Carroll Moran refused the applications and Ms Kelly was remanded on bail on the same conditions.