News

Bishop will not take part in Shannon protest

Friday, 28 February 2003 22:53

The Catholic bishop of Killaloe has said that he will not take part in any protest at Shannon Airport tomorrow, because of the possibility of disturbances there.

Dr Willie Walsh said this evening on Nuacht TG4 that it was a complete contradiction for people to use violence while claiming to protest for peace.

The bishop said that any disturbances would do more harm than good to the anti-war cause.

Earlier today the Labour Party and Sinn Féin asked their members and supporters not to attend tomorrow's anti-war protest in Shannon, because of concerns about possible disorder.

The Green Party said MEP Patricia McKenna would not be attending the protest, despite being invited.

Labour said it was advising its members and supporters to attend a peace rally in Dublin instead. In a statement, Labour said it endorsed only peaceful and non-violent protest.

Labour spokesman Michael D Higgins, who had attended the news conference announcing tomorrow's protest, confirmed today he would not be attending.

The Peace and Neutrality Alliance and several other groups had already announced they would not be supporting the direct action anti-war protest.

They include the Limerick-based Mid West Alliance against Military Aggression (MAMA), NGO Peace Alliance and AFRI.

But the group organising the protest, Grassroots Network Against War, said its planned mass trespass would be a peaceful protest, 'in the tradition of Gandhi's salt march'.

In a statement today, the group rejected suggestions that the diversion of opinion over the plans represented a split in the anti-war movement.

Remanded

At Ennis District Court today, three people accused of causing criminal damage to a US Naval plane at Shannon on 3 February last were remanded in custody with consent to bail.