This article is from page 4 of the 2013-12-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
TWO passenger planes had to delay landing in Shannon Airport after anti-war protestors made their way onto the main jet runway last year, a court has heard.
Margaretta D’Arcy (79) was lying down on the runway and Niall Farrell (60) was standing up when Shannon Airport police officers arrived to the runway at around 4pm on October 7, 2012. The pair were holding placards protesting against the alleged transport of US military drone aircraft through Shannon Airport.
Ms D’Arcy, with an address at St Bridget’s Place, Woodquay, Galway, and Mr Farrell, with an address at Ballynacloghy, Maree, Galway, denied the charge of interfering with the proper use of Shannon Airport by going on the runway without permission. The alleged offences are contrary to the Air Navigation and Transport Act. Both wore orange Guantanamo Bay style prison jumpsuits for the hearing.
Officer Joe Noonan told the court Airport Police received a call from supporters of the peace activists that Ms D’Arcy and Mr Farrell had made their way onto the runway.
Under cross-examination from Ms D’Arcy, airport police officer Richard Moloney said, “It was dangerous. It was a very dangerous situation. You were putting the lives of those people in the airplanes in danger.”
Air traffic controller Damien Egan told the court an Aer Lingus flight was held in the air for 17 minutes while a Ryanair flight was held for 12 minutes to allow gardaí and airport security time to escort the accused from the runway.
Ger O’Shea, Duty Sergeant with the Airport Police, said, “At no stage would I have given them authorization to enter the airfield.”
Ms D’Arcy and Mr Farrell admit being on the runway but denied interfering with the proper use of the airport.
Ms D’Arcy said she felt “compelled as an Irish citizen” to protest against the use of Shannon Airport by the US Military “I did not interfere with the proper use of the airport because it is not a proper airport,” she said
“My inner being, my soul is being destroyed by what is going on in Shannon” she said to a round of applause from a large group supporters in court who included Dáil TDs Mick Wallace and Clare Daly, who both gave evidence on behalf of Ms D’Arcy
On several occasions, Judge Patrick Durcan warned the accused they would not be allowed to use the court for political speeches.
Reading from a prepared statement, Mr Farrell said, “The Irish State is in denial concerning the US military’s activities in Shannon.”
The case was adjourned to tomorrow to Ennis District Court to fix a date for sentence.