Still No Inspections of US military Planes at Shannon Airport

international | anti-war / imperialism | news report Tuesday August 11, 2020 18:21 by Justin Morahan

letter to Sergeant in Charge

On Sunday last there was a protest at Shannon airport and I was unable to attend. A US plane was spotted there and Ed Horgan nade formal requests that it should be searched, His request was refused. The letter below is my support for the protest and for the request to search the plane and all such suspect planes at Shannon airport.

To: Sergeant in Charge

Shannon Garda Station,
Tullyvarragha,
Shannon,
Co. Clare
V14 VH27

Cc: Garda Síochana Ennis District Officer: Superintendent Brendan McDonagh

Cc: Garda Aishling Mc Carthy, Shannon Garda Station

Attention: Commissioner Drew Harris

Dear Sergeant in Charge

I am writing to confirm that a formal request was made to you at Shannon Garda station on 9 August 2020 to investigate the presence at Shannon airport on that date of special operations aircraft USAF 02-4452 - and that you refused the request without offering an explanation. I understand that the petitioner, Mr Edward Horgan informed you on the same date that the plane in question was specially equipped for intelligence gathering and was known to have been used by US special forces and in CIA type operations. With this information to hand you would, no doubt, have grave concerns about the confirmed presence of such a plane at Shannon airport.

You were also informed by Mr Horgan that the same plane was on the ground at Shannon on 25 May 2016 when two peace activists, Colm Roddy and Dave Donnellan, requested that all US military aircraft at Shannon be searched and investigated. Why was this plane never investigated or searched?

As an Irish citizen I am opposed to all and any Irish support for warring nations of whatever hue. The Irish people have in recent polls chosen neutrality for Ireland with between 3 and 4 in every 5 in favour; and only 1 in 5 opposing the idea. Hidden support for US or any other wars of aggression (by allowing such warring factions to use our civilian airport at Shannon surreptitiously while Gardaí and Government look the other way) is repugnant to professed Irish values.

I urge you you to reverse your policy of non-intervention at Shannon and search all future suspect planes that land there - or explain whose orders you are obeying when you allow these planes and their crews to rest there before they engage in or aid the possible killing of humans in Yemen or other war zones in the Middle East and elsewhere

With best personal wishes

Justin Morahan