Drop Shannon protest case, say TDs

Five politicians have called for charges to be dropped against the "Shannon Five", following a second mistrial of the anti-war protesters this week.

A first trial against the protesters, accused of damaging a US aircraft at Shannon airport, was abandoned when Judge Frank O'Donnell withdrew it from the jury on the sixth day.

The second trial collapsed after defence lawyers suggested that Judge Donagh MacDonagh had been invited to both of George W Bush's presidential inaugurations and attended the first one in 2000.

Deputies John Gormley, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Joe Costello and Finian McGrath, along with Senator David Norris, said the "ongoing punishment" of the five through bail conditions and the threat of future imprisonment were a "disgraceful criminalisation of peaceful dissent".

They called for the criminal charges against Ciaron O'Reilly from Australia, Deirdre Clancy from Dublin, Nuin Dunlop from the US, Karen Fallon from Scotland and Damien Moran from Offaly to be dropped. They also called on the Government to withdraw the services of Shannon airport as a stopover for US military aircraft.

"We hope Ireland's traditional role as a force for peacemaking and non-violent conflict resolution throughout the world can be redeemed, despite our neutrality being compromised on a daily basis," the group said.

Senator David Norris said the Government appeared to consider a dent "in a death machine is more significant than the slaughter of innocents".

Asked whether the group would support similar action at Shannon airport if it were to occur tomorrow, Aengus Ó Snodaigh said he would fully endorse such action.

Senator Norris said that if it did happen it would not grieve him and he would "positively welcome it".

Tony Gregory said he would find it as understandable as he did three years ago. His views were echoed by Finian McGrath, but John Gormley said that he would not answer a hypothetical question.

Protester Ciaron O'Reilly said the prolonged wait for a resolution to the case was causing difficulties for the protesters.

"No one regrets the action, and the more non-violent action here the better," he said. "But it is difficult, our lives are on hold and two of the others struggle to survive."

The five protesters have pleaded not guilty to two counts each of causing damage without lawful excuse to a US navy aircraft in February 2003. The case comes up for mention today.