Security at Shannon was over the top today as the monthly Shannon vigil took place in the wake of last Sunday's "outrageous" peace action by Margaretta D'Arcy, who at 78 years of age allegedly scaled the perimeter fence and along with Niall Farrell of galway Alliance Against War carried a protest against US military use of Shannon Airport on the main runway.

Prior to today's demo Edward Horgan and Seamus Ratigan went up to the airport for their usual pre-demo cup of coffee at the Park Inn Hotel. Since there was a possible US military plane under Irish army guard at the airport, Edward went to take some photos of it. Unlike last Sunday when it took over 20 minutes to get Gardai and airport security to react to peace activists on the main runway, Edward was today surrounded by six Gardai in the car park near the terminal building, and ordered to leave that airport. He informed them that he was there on lawful business, that included having a cup of coffee, buying a newspaper and taking photos of a suspect military aircraft. This was not good enough for the Gardai, and following Edward's refusal to leave, he was detained, put into the rear of a "Paddywagon" and removed from the airport.

Suspect US military plane at Shannon 14 Oct 2012

Just to emphasise how all-encompassing was the level of airport security today, Edward then insisted on walking back up to the airport to retrieve his car. He was allowed to do so but warned not to do anything else at the airport. Since taking photos of suspect military aircraft, drinking a cup of coffee and buying a newspaper are perfectly lawful actions he insisted on doing all three before returning with his car to the main demo outside the airport.

During the demo Roger Cole of PANA presented a copy of the newly published booklet on the legal issues related to US military and CIA misuse of Shannon Airport to Garda Sergeant Noel McMahon. Copies of this booklet which was written by John Lannon can be downloaded here.