The Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) has said reports of potential violence at tomorrow's protest at Shannon airport have been hyped-up by the media and are detracting from the real issues.
The group expects thousands to turn up at a peaceful rally outside the Co Clare facility in protest at US planes refuelling in the build-up to military action in Iraq.
But the Green Party, the Labour Party and Sinn Féin today advised members not to attend the protest after threats from a little-known group to pull down the perimeter at the airport.
IAWM chairman Mr Richard Boyd Barrett said: "Since the huge protest on February 15th, the Government has made desperate attempts to deflect attention away from the issue of the war and their support for it by launching attacks on the anti-war movement.
"Hyping up what a tiny group of protesters might, but probably won't, do rather than on the reasons why thousands of protesters will be joining a peaceful demonstration is allowing the Government off the hook," Mr Boyd Barrett added.
"The real issue is, why when a clear majority of people in this country are opposed to this war and Irish involvement in it, are the government still allowing the US military to use Shannon?", he asked.
Socialist party TD Mr Joe Higgins also condemned the three larger parties for pulling out of the protest. He said that the only appropriate "direct action" at the airport would be a general industrial action by staff to protest at the US military presence.
Earlier this week, Grassroots Network Against War (GNAW) posted a statement on its website calling for "direct action" at the march.
"We will not attempt to occupy the runway or to reach any planes, the purpose of this action is to demonstrate that the state can not secure the 'warport' against the anger of the people," the statement added.
It also said those taking part in the action may face "arrest or violence from the police".
A Garda spokesman would not say how many extra officers were being drafted in to police the protest saying "adequate policing" would be provided.
Army personnel are erecting a six-foot high razor wire fence inside the existing perimeter fence as part of a massive security operation at the airport.
A Green Party spokesman said it was advising its members to attend its annual convention instead of the protest, but said any members attending should do so "peacefully and in a family friendly manner".
A Labour Party spokesman said there was concern that tomorrow's protest had the potential to turn violent because of "some elements attending" and advised members not to attend.
Sinn Fein is also advising its members not to attend and instead attend a separate peace rally in Dublin tomorrow.
