GAAW Bulletin JuLY 2013

galway | anti-war / imperialism | opinion/analysis Tuesday July 02, 2013 13:20 by Galway Alliance Against War

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FOR YOUR DIARY

SOLIDARITY RALLY AT ENNIS DISTRICT COURT
10th JULY 2013 at 10.30am
JOIN US THERE TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR MARGARETTA D’ARCY

GAAW SUPPORTED PEACE EVENT
Shannon Peace Vigil
Sunday, 14th July, 2013
14:00 until 15:00
Meet at small roundabout just before Shannon Airport

CONTENTS
1. MARGARETTA’S COURT CASE
2. GAAW PRO TAKEN IN FOR QUESTIONING BY GARDAÍ
3. MEANWHILE AT SHANNON THE WAR GOES ON…..

4. FROM SOLDIER TO RESISTER – JOE GLENTON IN GALWAY
5. THE GARDAÍ INVESTIGATING THEMSELVES

1.
MARGARETTA’S COURT CASE
In our June GAAW Bulletin we had been erroneously led to believe that the court case against two GAAW members, Margaretta D’Arcy and Niall Farrell, had been adjourned until at least September because the latter will not be in attendance. However, that is not the situation: Margaretta is due to attend Ennis District Court on July 10th 2013 at 10.30am, to face the totally absurd charge that she “DID INTERFERE WITH THE PROPER USE OF THAT AIRPORT BY GOING ON THE RUNWAY WITHOUT PERMISSION.”
In fact, Margaretta and Niall went on the runway to prevent the IMPROPER use of that civilian airport. And on July 10th Margaretta will represent her views on this matter – without the need of a lawyer – by showing that Shannon’s civilian airport has been IMPROPERLY transformed into a US military base in contravention of Bunreacht na hÉireann and numerous international human rights conventions, including the Convention against Torture. To back up her argument she will arrive at the court with two wheelbarrow loads of hard evidence and a selection of dictionaries to help determine the meaning of the “PROPER”.
However, Margaretta will not be presenting a “defence”, rather she intends to use the court to hold a “conversation” in a public place as proposed by President Michael D. Higgins.
We would urge peace supporters from all over the country to come and show solidarity with Margaretta and opposition to the on-going militarisation of Shannon airport at Ennis Court on July 10th at 10.30am.

2.
GAAW PRO TAKEN IN FOR QUESTIONING BY GARDAÍ
Last Friday, 28th June 2013, two super sleuths from Shannon’s Gardaí arranged to interview GAAW’s PRO, Niall Farrell, in Oranmore Garda Station in relation to a peaceful act of sabotage of a US troop transport plane at Shannon back in December 2011. Some 13 months ago the Gardaí raided Farrell’s home on the grounds that he had innocently posted an anonymous account of this sabotage after it arrived through his letterbox. During the raid 3 pcs were seized, one of which has never been returned.
An intrepid cameraman just back from Occupied Palestine was on hand in Oranmore to capture Farrell’s visit to Oramore’s Garda station last Friday:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOwt0ep3zNw
In relation to Niall’s “interview” Shannonwatch rightly commented on its excellent website that the Gardaí were “Trying to Prosecute Peace Activists while the Real Criminals go Unchallenged”. (www.shannonwatch.org )

3

MEANWHILE AT SHANNON THE WAR GOES ON…..

The peace monitors at Shannon have been reporting since last Friday considerable US military activity at this once civilian airport. Here is what Edward Horgan reported yesterday July 1st 2013:

“I called out to Shannon airport this morning to check on John Lannon's report of US warplanes at Shannon last night. The three warplanes were still there, one was a US air force Gulfstream III, executive jet, the kind used to transport US generals, the other 2 were Hercules C130p, reg. number 64852 from Moody Air force Base in Georgia, arrived in Shannon yesterday evening accompanied by Hercules C130p, reg. number 650986 also from Moody Air force Base in Georgia. These warplanes were being guarded by both the Irish Army and Gardaí. My information is that no attempt was made to investigate or search these aircraft even though they may part of US special forces teams from J.S.O.C. involved in extra-judicial assassinations or may be part of a US military logistic effort to deliver weapons to one of the belligerents in the Syrian civil war. I took the attached photos and then went to Shannon Garda station where I made the attached statement requesting that these aircraft be searched and investigated. The two herculesC130p aircraft left Shannon while I was in the Garda Station. I was kept waiting for at least 15 minutes before being interviewed by Garda Sergeant M O'Connell, probably because they knew that the aircraft were getting ready to take off. From my knowledge of military logistics and the movement of military aircraft carrying soldiers, it is inconceivable that each of these aircraft was not carrying weapons and munitions, at least one and probably two weapons for each soldier on board as well as the associated ammunition for these weapons, which would normally be one automatic pistol and one automatic rifle for each soldier.
Questions should be asked in the Dail about the purpose and destination and cargoes of these aircraft. The US intelligence services are now known to have been spying on European Union offices and diplomatic services, probably including the Irish embassy in Washington, yet the Irish security services are refusing to investigate US military warplanes at Shannon that are in clear breach of Irish and international laws and conventions.
Edward Horgan

Statement by Edward Horgan to Garda Sergeant Michael OConnell, at Shannon Garda Station on 1st July 2013
I Edward Horgan request that Gardaí at Shannon search and investigate 3 US warplanes (2 Hercules and one US military executive jet) at Shannon airport. This is necessary as it is likely that the personnel on some of these aircraft may be carrying arms to one of the belligerents in the Syrian civil war and may also be part of US special forces known as J.S.O.C., involved in extra-judicial assassinations. I am making this request so that Gardaí at Shannon should carry out their duties of care, duties of crime prevention, and duties to comply with Irish and international laws and conventions. I witnessed US soldiers on the ground near these aircraft some of whom appeared to be carrying weapons. Signed Edward Horgan”

4
FROM SOLDIER TO RESISTER
Joe Glenton a former British soldier spoke in both Galway and Dublin last month where he launched his political memoir Soldier Box. Joe is no ordinary British squaddie. Having joined the army in the belief that he was going to serve his nation with valour and honour in the War on Terror, his tour of duty in Afghanistan turned him into a passionate campaigner against war.

Thanks to Tommy Donnellan you can view Joe’s talk in Galway here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3_6aKVmxIs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsBWjkQL_DE

5
THE GARDAÍ INVESTIGATING THEMSELVES

The Gardaí are above the law. GAAW received another example of this fact last week when Niall Farrell’s family was informed that the Gardaí had committed no offence by failing to show a search warrant in June 2012 when they raided their home. The investigation into the family’s complaint was conducted by Garda Superintendent Roche of Ballinasloe. Despite having the evidence of Farrell’s Belfast-based solicitor who spoke with the Garda leading the raid on the phone and heard him refuse to show the search warrant the learned Superintendent found in his colleague’s favour. This is nothing new and does not surprise us. Supporters will recall how one of our members was viciously assaulted by a Superintendent Garda from Galway during a peaceful GAAW picket and despite numerous independent witnesses the so-called ombudsman found in favour of the Garda.
Indeed, we only have to look at the pictures coming from Erris in Co. Mayo showing the violent behaviour of the Gardaí against peaceful protesters to see that the Gardaí know they are above the law.
However, as with the delinquent Catholic priests of old, these delinquent police will have their comeuppance.