‘The issue of the transit of military personnel and munitions through Shannon Airport which support the US war machine in the Middles East (Israel, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia) is seen as a breach of Irish neutrality and is the subject of a long running campaign by Irish Peace campaigners’
The Irish Justice Minister has responded to concerns about the detention and prosecution of two United States peace activists. The two men Ken Mayers and Tarak Kauff of ‘Veterans for Peace’ were initially imprisoned after being detained at Shannon Airport but eventually bailed and are required to reside in Ireland until their trial which could be months or years.
In line with a request to all Celtic League (CL) National branches by the CL Convenor, Cathal O Luain, to support the two US ‘Veterans for Peace’ the CL Mannin branch Branch Secretary (Allen Moore) had written expressing concern to the Minister for Justice in Ireland and it was also agreed members would be urged to support the fundraising effort for the two men.
The issue of the transit of military personnel and munitions through Shannon Airport which support US war efforts in the Middles East (Israel, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia) is seen as a breach of Irish neutrality and is the subject of a long running campaign by Irish Peace campaigners including the Peace and Neutrality Alliance to which the Celtic League Irish branch is affiliated.
The reply from Justice Minister Flanagan’s Office is set out below:
“Minister’s Reference: DJE-MO-01712-2019
“Dear Mr. Moore,
“I am writing about your correspondence to the Minister for Justice & Equality, Mr. Charlie Flanagan TD The Minister has asked me to reply on his behalf.
“The position is that the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and the conduct of any court is a matter entirely for the presiding judge. It is not possible for the Minister to be involved in any way in relation to a particular situation.
“The Minister regrets that he can not help you in this matter.
“Yours sincerely,
“Conor Cleary
Private Secretary to the
Minister for Justice and Equality”
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Image: It’s not just peace groups that oppose the use of Shannon by the United States Military. In 2015 two members of the Irish parliament (Dáil Éireann), Clare Daly and Mick Wallace TDs, were jailed after failing to pay fines imposed after a protest.
Bernard Moffatt
Celtic League Military Monitoring
