Anti war demonstration at Shannon to protest at the use of the airport to refuel US military planes.
An estimated fifteen hundred people took part in a protest march and rally at Shannon Airport.
Anti war groups claim that allowing the United States military to use services provided by the airport while en route to bases in the Middle East makes Ireland complicit in any war against Iraq. This could make the airport a target for terrorists.
A number of TDs, senators and Members of the European Parliament were also in attendance, with some making speeches outside the terminal building.
Green Party TD John Gormley tells RTÉ News, the majority of Irish people are opposed to this war with Iraq, and do not agree with US plans refuelling here. He also accuses the accused the government of hypocrisy.
It shows that Irish neutrality has become a sham.
Fianna Fáil TD Peter Power believes that the protestors are sending the wrong message,
We shouldn’t be taking any actions here in Shannon which undermines the legitimacy of all of the UN efforts.
A strong Garda and airport security presence ensured that the protestors were accompanied as far as the terminal building, but only passengers and airport staff were allowed inside.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 18 January 2003. The reporter is Cathy Halloran.
