Five anti-war protesters charged with damaging a US naval aircraft at Shannon airport in 2003 were carrying a pickaxe and several hammers with anti-war slogans inscribed on them, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.
"Put a stop to genocidal war" and "War stops here" were among the slogans engraved on the implements, along with ancient Celtic emblems, the jury was told.
The court also heard that one of the hammers was a large plastic inflatable "balloony thing" in the Tricolour with the words "Hammered by the Irish" written on it. Prosecuting counsel Conor Devally (with Luan Ó Braonáin) described it as an "object normally carried by patriotic football supporters".
It was the second day of the trial of Damien Moran, a student priest with the Holy Ghost Fathers in Dublin, and Ciarán O'Reilly, an Australian, both working with homeless people and living at the same address on South Circular Road, Rialto; Karen Fallon, a Scottish marine biologist, South Circular Road; Nuin Dunlop, from the US and who lives in Dublin; and Deirdre Clancy, a copy editor at The Spinnaker, Alverno, Clontarf.
All plead not guilty to one count of damaging a US naval plane and to causing similar damage to two glass door panels of Aer Rianta property at Shannon on February 3rd, 2003.
Sgt Michael O'Connell of Shannon Garda station, who was on protection duty of the aircraft on the day, told Mr Devally he was standing by the door of his car which was parked about 30-40 yards from the plane when he heard a loud bang.
He told the jury of nine women and three men that at about 3.30am, the five accused came running on to the hangar "roaring and shouting".
He said he tried to stop them by putting his outstretched arms and body between them as they ran towards the aircraft. He momentarily lost his balance, and they charged ahead.
He said he saw Mr O'Reilly jumping up and hitting the nose of the aircraft with a pickaxe while Mr Moran hit another part with a hammer.
Sgt O'Connell said the three women were at the rear of the aircraft and all were using hammers, one of which was the plastic inflatable one. He pleaded and struggled with Mr O'Reilly to stop and eventually managed to take the pickaxe from him.
He also disarmed Mr Moran and took the hammers from the three women.
Sgt O'Connell said he had radioed for assistance before he began the struggle and two other gardaí had arrived. By this stage the weapons were on the ground and the protesters were sitting in a circle saying prayers.
Pressed by Hugh Hartnett SC (with Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha), for Mr O'Reilly and Mr Moran, the witness agreed Mr O'Reilly had been "comforting" towards him.
He denied in cross-examination by Brendan Nix SC (with Michael Dreelan), for Ms Fallon, that a naval officer appeared on the scene "and was giving out to the Irish gardaí in a furious manner".
"I never saw him there," Sgt O'Connell told Mr Nix.
He agreed with Michael O'Higgins SC (with Muireann Grogan) that all the protesters showed absolutely no malice towards him personally during the episode and were always courteous towards gardaí.
The hearing continues before Judge Frank O'Donnell.