This article is from page 10 of the 2013-09-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
A GRANDMOTHER blew a whistle and claimed to be a whistleblower on war crimes as Ennis District Court was disrupted for a brief period on Wednesday.
Anti-war activist Margaretta Darcy (79) shouted, “there are US warplanes at Shannon. The Irish Government is guilty of complicity and if you are against war, say ‘no to war’.” during the brief hearing.
Ms Darcy, with an address at St Bridget’s Place, Woodquay, Galway, and her co-accused, Niall Farrell (60), received loud cheers and a round of applause from supporters following their actions.
Earlier, Mr Farrell, had been ordered to leave the courtroom after making a number of statements.
Mr Farrell, with an address at Ballynacloghy, Maree, Galway, claimed “murder is being committed at Shan- non Airport” and that there is “blood” on the hands of all Irish people.
There was an eruption of laughter after Mr Farrell pulled on a rubber mask of US President Barrack Obama as he was escorted from the courtroom by gardaí.
Both Ms Darcy and M Farrell wore orange Guantanamo style jumpsuits.
Both accused are charged with two offences under the Air Navigation and Transport Act.
It is alleged that Mr Farrell and Ms Darcy on October 7 (2012) and September 1 (2013) interfered with the proper use of Shannon Airport by going on the runway without permission.
Outlining the alleged facts, Insp Kennedy said the pair was discovered by airport security on the runway.
The accused were conveyed to the terminal building, charged and brought before Limerick District Court on September 2.
Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction. Insp Kennedy said the pair had declined legal representation. He said the State would transmit all papers relating to the alleged offences to the accused.
Mr Farrell asked Judge Durcan to strike out the charges, claiming, “these were not actual crimes, it was an act of humanity.”
At a court appearance in July, court was adjourned for a few minutes after Ms Darcy, who walks with the aid of a walking frame, jumped up on a bench and demanded her case be heard.
On Wednesday, Judge Durcan adjourned the cases to October 2. The accused were accompanied by a large group of supporters including a sketch artist.
Judge Durcan ordered that one man put down a sign reading “War Is The Crime”.