Yesterday.
Shannonwatch released a statement, following the arrest of two US veterans, aged 77 and 82, at Shannon Airport on Sunday.
The two men were charged with causing €2,500 worth of criminal damage to the airport perimeter fence at Shannon Airport and unlawful trespass into a taxi-way at the airport.
Shannonwatch wrote:
“Two US veterans were arrested at Shannon Airport on 17 March for entering the airfield to inspect and investigate an OMNI Air International plane on contract to the U.S. military. The two, Tarak Kauff and Ken Mayers, were refused bail at Ennis District Court today.
The plane, tail number N351AX, arrived at Shannon Airport about 8.30am from Eielson US air force base in Faribanks Alaska, believed to be on its way to the Middle East with up to 300 armed US troops.
At about 10am Mayers, a former Marine Corps Major and Kauff, a former Army paratrooper, both members of US Veterans For Peace, entered the airfield carrying a large banner that said:
U.S. Veterans say
Respect Irish Neutrality
U.S. War Machine out of Shannon Airport
Veterans For Peace
The two walked across the air field with the intent of inspecting the plane for weapons or munitions, but were apprehended by airport security and gardai.
There were detained and interviewed at Shannon Garda station and held overnight for arraignment on charges of trespass and criminal damage.
At Ennis District Court [yesterday] morning Mayers and Kauff were represented by solicitor Darragh Hassett.
The prosecution outlined the charges against them and indicated that they were opposed to bail.
Garda Sergeant Noel Carroll gave evidence of arrest on Taxiway 12 at Shannon airport. He also stated that there was a US military aircraft at the airport, most likely referring to OMNI Air N351AX.
He also confirmed that the defendants were both veterans of the US military.
The prosecutor, Inspector Thomas Kennedy, said there had been substantial damage to the airport perimeter fence.
When the bail issue was being discussed solicitor Hassett initially stated that the defendants were prepared to agree to bail conditions that involved surrendering their passports, and remaining in Ireland for the duration of the legal processes.
This was an unacceptable condition as it would mean that the defendants would have to remain in Ireland at their own expense for up to two years before the trial would occur, and this restriction amounts to punishment without trial.
The defendants then requested an adjournment to discuss matters with their solicitor.
After the court resumed, Hassett emphasised that the defendants needed to return home to the USA and would sign a sworn undertaking to return for trial.
The prosecution opposed this and continued to oppose the granting of any bail.
Judge Maire Keane then ruled that she was denying bail to the accused and remanded them in custody to Limerick Prison, where they are to appear for a further court mention hearing by video from the prison on Wednesday, 20 March.
Further discussions were then held with solicitor Hassett.
He raised the option of appealing the bail refusal to the High Court in Dublin and he was told to lodge such an appeal.
He indicated that it would likely be Thursday, 28 March, before this High Court appeal would be heard.”
Two US Veterans For Peace Refused Bail at Ennis District Court (Shannonwatch)
Previously: Cleared for Takeoff
Simple criminal damage. No authorities can allow people to stroll on to a restricted area in an airport and interfere with aircraft, no matter what their politics – peace groups or religious fanatics.
What if other persons cut the fence?
What if the armaments that are being facilitated at Shannon are going to be dropped on your house and family, I suspect you might feel differently about snipping a wire fence and making some kind of a stand.
Ireland is NOT neutral.
Veterans for Peace has a nice ring to it.
When you see the toe-rags in their 20s arrested and charged for vicious assaults being released on bail immediately and then see these two gentlemen, 77- and 82-years old being refused bail and remanded to Limerick prison, you have to wonder about the judiciary in this country and if anything which threatens the relationship with the US is taboo and why this judge was appointed in 2015 at all.
to Joe Small; It was small damage but not simple and not criminal. Thay were not in there for a stroll but for a serious protest. More power to them for their courage and decency. No snide remarks can take away from that.