As the Irish government seems more determined than ever to allow the US military use Shannon Airport, it's important to acknowledge and support the activists who have taken action to try to highlight and end it over the last few years. They are being dragged through the courts while nothing is done by the authorities to investigate the complicity of the US military/diplomatic aircraft in illegal wars, crimes against humanity and genocide.

The Boeing 3 took action on 22nd November 2025 and have been charged with causing criminal damage to the main body of a US Navy Reserve Boeing 737-700, by allegedly spray painting it. When charged, one of the 3 explained the reason for their action, which was that the use of Shannon by the US military breaks Irish neutrality, and that the US is a belligerent power complicit in the genocide of Palestinians.

They are due to appear in court in Ennis  on Wednesday, March 25th at 10.30am. We encourage everyone who can to get there to support them.

The May Day 3 took their action on 1st May 2025. Like the Boeing 3, they’re also accused of breaking into Shannon Airport to inspect US military planes. A statement at the time from their collective, Palestine Action Éire, said the Irish state was fueling genocide so they were forced into direct action. 

Not long after that, Sound the Siren 3 took action on 17th May 2025.Palestine Action Éire explained that the three women entered the runway at Shannon attempting to inspect a plane on contract to the US military and sprayed the war-plane with red paint.

The Shannon 3 who took action over a year earlier on 30th March 2024 are also still going through the courts. They allegedly entered the runway area to oppose the use of Shannon Airport by the US Military and are charged with “trespassing” under Section 11 of the Public Order Act and “interfering with the operation, management and security of an airport” under Section 47 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1998. 

Last up in court on Feb 11th of this year, their trial was adjourned pending a Supreme Court appeal regarding the "defense of necessity" for actions like theirs.

The May Day 3 and Sound the Siren 3 have a procedural court hearing on May 1st but may not have to appear. The same applies to the Shannon 3. 

During one court appearance by the Boeing 3, the judge spoke about the security of Shannon Airport being integral to the security of the State. If this is true, then it is grossly irresponsible of the State itself to allow the US military to use it. As we and others have repeatedly pointed out, Shannon is designed and staffed to operate as a civilian airport. So not only do the cargo and personnel on the military planes present a grave risk to the people being targeted by the US and Israel, they also put workers and passengers at Shannon at risk. 

The airport cannot cope with an attack, and that's one good reason to end the US military presence there. But another very compelling reason is the fact that the same military is wreaking havoc around the world, committing war crimes, and supporting a genocide.

By its inaction, the State puts activists in a position where they are compelled to take action. We salute them for doing so.