This article is from page 12 of the 2006-02-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
THE office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will decide before March 9 what course of action it intends to pursue in the case of four peace activists arrested following a small protest at Shannon Airport last September, a court has been told.
The four defendants gained access to a balcony in the main terminal building at Shannon on September 17 last and managed to unfurl three anti-war banners. All four were arrested and taken to Shannon Garda Station where they were questioned, detained overnight and later charged before being taken to court the following day.
Reappearing at Shannon District Court in Ennis last Thursday were 38-year-old Conor Cregan of 42 Cronan Lawn, Shannon, and Niall Harnett aged 39, originally from Dublin, but living at the time in Liscannor. Both face one charge each of failing to obey directions from airport police officers contrary to Section 33 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act.
Two others, Margaret Liddy aged 34 from North Circular Road in Limerick and 21-year-old St John O’Donnabháin with an address at Áth Stúin in County Kilkenny, face charges of failing to provide names and address to airport police staff also contrary Section 33 of the same act.
The State claims that only Mr Cregan and Mr Harnett, were involved in the alleged incident on the balcony where airport police officers were prevented from entering the area.
Inspector Tom Kennedy sought to have the four remanded on continuing bail until March when, he told Judge Leo Malone, the DPP would have decided what course of action to take. It is understood that further charges may be preferred against any of the defendants
Two of the defendants, who represented themselves in court, attempted to address the court but were advised by Judge Malone that the matter had already been adjourned to March 9.
Niall Harnett was warned that he would be “held in contempt” and “removed from the court” after he began reading from a document in which he accused the justice system of “failing to engage” with him in all respects relevant to his case.
Conor Cregan also sought to address the court but was told by Judge Malone, “the problem with that is that the DPP has not yet directed in the matter.”
All four will appear in court again on March 9 next.