Sinn Fein graffiti on RAF craft prompts inquiry

An investigation is under way at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, after an incident at the Air Corps base 12 days ago when the letters "SF" were written in dirt on the body of an RAF helicopter which was on an exercise in Ireland.

The matter is a potential source of political embarrassment for the Defence Forces and Department of Defence. "SF" is being taken to mean Sinn Féin, and the commanding officer of the Air Corps, Brig Gen Ralph James, has ordered military police to track down those responsible for the graffiti. The British authorities are being briefed on the progress of the investigation.

The incident involving the British Puma helicopter comes three months ahead of a planned visit to Ireland by President George Bush. Any similar incidents during his June visit would be embarrassing, particularly in light of the high-profile security lapses at Shannon Airport last year when anti-war protesters got air-side a number of times and even grounded one Iraq-bound US aircraft following a hatchet attack.

The three-man RAF helicopter crew landed at Baldonnel on Friday, March 5th. The pilots were in Ireland for training and familiarisation. The exercises familiarise British pilots with Irish airspace and airports in the event that they are ever needed in an emergency, for search-and-rescue operations or to fly transplant organs between Britain and Ireland.

The RAF crew was scheduled to leave on March 6th when the lettering was noticed. When on Irish soil RAF pilots are assigned an Air Corps liaison officer. This officer noticed the lettering when he was accompanying the three pilots to their craft just before take off.

It is understood the three pilots did not make a formal complaint, but the liaison officer is believed to have reported it to his superior officer.

Any military and civilian staff in the vicinity of the helicopter landing pad while the craft was at the base have been questioned. Air Corps investigators are also studying CCTV.

A spokesman for the Defence Forces said the outcome of the investigation should be known within a fortnight. The person responsible, if identified, will face disciplinary action. He said the investigation was proceeding in order to offset any potential embarrassment for the Air Corps and because it was "the right thing to do".