Shannonwatch

The first International Conference against US/NATO Military Bases was held on November 16-18, at the Liberty Hall in Dublin, Ireland. The conference was attended by close to 300 participants from over thirty-five countries from around the world. Speakers representing countries from all continents, including Cuba, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, United States, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Poland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Czech Republic, Israel, Palestine, Kenya, D. R. Congo, Japan and Australia, made presentations at the conference.

This conference was the first organized effort by the newly formed Global campaign against US/NATO Military Bases, created by over 35 peace, justice and environmental organizations and endorsed by over 700 other organizations and activists from around the world. What brought all of us together in this International Conference was our agreement with the principles outlined in the Global Campaign's Unity Statement, which was endorsed by the Conference participants.

This aircraft Omni Air International Boeing 777 (registration N846AX) was refueled at Shannon Airport on November 21st.

Here are some of the places its been to in recent times.

From November 16th to 18th a historic conference was held at Liberty Hall in Dublin. It was the first International Conference Against US/NATO Military Bases, hosted by the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA). It was attended by delegates from 35 countries who came together to debate issues relevant to their own country and to the world.

There were at least three US warplanes at Shannon Airport today, possibly carrying up to 1,000 armed US troops through Ireland. These planes with weapons and soldiers on board, sat alongside normal civilian aircraft at the terminal building.

Report from the Court

Today saw another hearing, this time in Court 5, Dublin Circuit Court - Judge Melanie Greally presiding - in a case involving peace activists Edward Horgan and Dan Dowling.  The case relates to the alleged writing of some graffiti (DANGER DANGER DO NOT FLY) on a US war-plane at Shannon Airport on 25 September 2017, and a charge of trespass relating to the same incident which the Ennis District Court has arguably being trying to hold in reserve (or park as they describe it) so that if we are acquitted in the Circuit Court they might have second go at us in the lower District Court.

On October 30th a US military C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft, registration 09-9212, passed through Shannon Airport on its way to Israel from the US.  It was travelling from Washington DC.

Five days later, on November 4th, it flew back from Tel Aviv in Israel. Once again it landed at Shannon before proceeding on to the US.