Pitstop Ploughshares Put The War On Trial

national | anti-war / imperialism | feature

Sunday March 13, 2005 00:38

by padraic - 1 of Indymedia Ireland Editorial Group - Indymedia Ireland

On 3rd February 2003, as part of ongoing resistance at Shannon Airport, the Pitstop Ploughshares disarmed a US warplane. Within the month, three of the four companies contracted at the time to ferry US troops and weapons had left Ireland.

Pitstop Ploughshares put the war on trial The trial began on Monday March 7th and is expected to last for just over a week. Watch this space for daily updates as things progress:

Day Six:The presiding judge discharged the jury for undisclosed reasons this morning and ordered a retrial. Defendants to appear in Four Courts Tuesday 10.30 am for new trial date
-Threre will be no peace walk from the spire. read more here

Day Five:I'm afraid this will be rather a short report as the trial thus far today has involved legal argument in the absense of the jury. Under these circumstances, it not possible to give details of the submissions put forward by the defence. Sub judice, and so on.Read more here

Day Four:
Defendant Ciaron O'Reilly took the stand and began to describe his backround, with special attention as to how it affected his belief that the actions on February 3rd were justified. He was repeatedly interrupted by the judge, who severely restricted his testimony. ...Read More

Day Three:"A legal controversy arose when the defense asked that a number of photographs of war-injured children and two documentaries about destruction in Iraq be admitted into evidence."

Day Two: The defense attorneys stated that the case revolved around "the reckless damage being wrought on a defenseless population," the prosecution made no effort to restrict this line of defense".

Day One: "That could really read 'Day Zero', because nothing much happened down there at the Four Courts..." Read the report and details of solidarity actions down under here and here.

Every (court) day: