Anti-war activists arrested over Shannon protest

Two people held after breach of perimeter fence at Co Clare airport

Peace activists Niall Farrell and Margaretta D’arcy are detained by police as they attempt to block the runway of Shannon Airport in protest at the use of the airport by the US military. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire.
Peace activists Niall Farrell and Margaretta D’arcy are detained by police as they attempt to block the runway of Shannon Airport in protest at the use of the airport by the US military. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire.

Two anti-war activists have been arrested for a second time at a protest at Shannon Airport.

Margaretta D'Arcy (79) and Niall Farrell (60) - the brother of Belfast IRA woman Mairead Farrell, were detained after the perimeter fence of the Co Clare airport was breached.

It is understood the pair were arrested on the runway after banners were unfurled protesting against the use of Shannon by US military aircraft and threatened missile strikes on Syria.

In a statement the Galway Alliance Against War said it wanted to highlight the use of the airport by the US.

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“By allowing the US military to use Irish airspace and Shannon airport to wage wars we have become a willing accessory to mass murder. We have blood on our hands,” the group said.

D’Arcy and Farrell have been charged over a similar protest at Shannon last year again when the perimeter fence was breached and an incursion made on to the runway.

They are due in court later this month over the previous incident.

PA