A US navy plane damaged in an alleged attack by an anti-war activist armed with an axe at Shannon last January did not resume service until May, a court heard today.
Ennis Circuit Court, heard Ms Mary Kelly (50) formerly of the Peace Camp in Shannon, deny criminal damage without lawful excuse to a US Boeing 737 plane at Shannon on January 29th 2003.
Ms Kelly also denied trespass beyond the perimeter fence at Shannon on the same date.
The plane's captain, Comm William John Schneider told the court that the plane was carrying no armaments, but was carrying logistic equipment, including spare parts and tyres for the plane.
The court heard Ms Kelly was inside the airport perimeter fence for one hour before she was detected by Det Garda John Geoghegan.
Det Garda Geoghegan told the court that when he came across Ms Kelly beside the plane, she told him: "I'm here to damage the plane and prevent it going to Iraq and killing innocent children."
Det Garda Geoghegan said that in her statement, Ms Kelly said she refused to stand idly by and allow the Irish Government illegally allow Shannon be used by the US military.
Ms Kelly said that the presence of US military planes at Shannon was contrary to the highest law in the land, the Irish constitution and she could not be an accomplice to that.
When formally charged with the alleged offence, Ms Kelly said: "I'm not guilty as charged. I did what I have done with lawful excuse."
The case continues tomorrow.