Prisoners at Shannon Airport - Edward Horgan and Justin Morahan in a Garda van following their detention for displaying a banner saying "US Troops Out of Shannon"

John Maguire detainee at Shannon for carrying a flag with the word "PEACE"

Three peace activists were detained by Gardai at Shannon Airport today for displaying signs saying "Peace" and "US Troops Out Of Shannon". After being removed from the airport they joined the regular second Sunday of the month vigil which took place from 2pm to 3pm outside the airport. As usual the peaceful gathering was observed by an unnecessarily large number of Gardai who blocked access to the airport.  

The three activists were detained outside the airport terminal building at about 13.20. They were placed in a Garda prison van and transported to the area of the West Air Roundabout where the vigil was about to take place, and then released. One of the activists lodged a complaint that the van in which they were transported did not have seat belts in the rear of the vehicle, in accordance with the Road Traffic Act. He intends to lodge a formal written complaint to the Garda Commissioner about the detention and about the lack of seat belts in the rear of the vehicle.

Shannon continues to operate as a transit base for armed US troops on their way to and from wars initiated by the US. While the Gardai remove people with peace signs from the airport, soldiers who may have committed war crimes - and their commanders - are allowed free passage.  

Part of a group of peace activists at Shannon Airport montly peace vigil on 13 May 2012