Madam, - As a child in Limerick during the 1950s I enjoyed Sunday afternoon planespotting outings to Shannon Airport. On a number of visits there this year I found myself barred from going near the airport because of my involvement in peaceful protest.
As a law-abiding Irish citizen for 61 years, I am angered that the Taoiseach and Government have conceded freedom of our civilian airport to the US military while I am excluded by members of the Irish Army and police. Worryingly, the Irish people have been misled about the extremely dangerous nature of munitions transported into Shannon under US military control.
Our Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs told us repeatedly that Ireland would take guidance from the United Nations on Iraq. Then, on the outbreak of war, the Government deserted the UN, allowing the US continued use of Shannon for the war and its increasingly bloody aftermath. I find it both extraordinary and troubling that, while Tony Blair is still under siege because of his Government's "spinning" on Iraq, there seems to be little public or media concern about the Irish Government's deception. - Yours, etc.,
COLM RODDY,
Bayside Walk,
Dublin 13.