Potential war criminals transiting Shannon

international | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Tuesday November 11, 2008 18:28

by Edward Horgan

PEACE Vigil in the Rain

On Monday 10 November US a US Air force executive jet, reg no 40109, a learjet 35 or a C 21A in military terminology, was being refuelled at Shannon airport, while being protected by a special garda escort. We dont yet know who the passengers were, but such luxuary transports are not for one star privates, they are normally reserved for one star generals and upwards. Some of these generals have been guilty of war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq. It is most likely that the Gardai did not search the aircraft to ascertain if any war criminals were on board.

Potential war criminals at Shannon?

On Sunday 9 November up to 30 peace activists attended the monthly peace vigil at Shannon airport in appalling weather conditions. It was noted that former Garda Sergeant John O'Sullivan was back on duty at Shannon as an Inspector after his promotional exile in Dublin. John has been one of the Gardai at Shannon who managed to do his job without the vindictiveness that has been displayed by several of his superiors in the past. During the pouring rain, an oak tree was planted as a mark of respect to prisoners who have been tortured in Guantanamo and elsewhere, and in particular in recognition of the suffering inflicted on Murat Kurnaz, who visited Shannon earlier this year after spending almost five years in US custody even though he was innocent of any crime. This tree planting was also a symbolic acknowledgement of the support that Murat got from his mother who campaigned for his release throughout his imprisonment and torture. Her name is Rabye Kurnaz, and Shannon peace activists wished to acknowledge her strength of character in challenging the German and US governments over the unjustified and unlawful imprisonment and torture of her son.

On Thursday next, 13 November 08, another peace activist, this writer, Edward Horgan is summoned to appear before Ennis district court, on a charge of allegedly obstructing/impeding an airport fire officer. The alleged act of obstruction/impeding concerned the said fire officer being asked to search an aircraft reg no N54PA, that has associations with the CIA, and that had been in Guantanamo just over a week earlier. It is unlikely it was on a golfing trip to Guantanamo. We welcome the opportunity to defend against such unjustified abuse of the Irish justice system.

Next Saturday, there will be a further peace vigil at Shannon airport in solidarity with a series of similar events across Europe, to highlight the complicity of several European states, indeed the complicity of most European states with the war crimes committed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and European complicity with the US torture rendition programme. This peace vigil will take place at 2 pm. Please endeavour to attend in solidarity with the victims of these crimes.

Wet Gardai at Shannon protect their "essentials" watched by Conor Cregan