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THE trial of five anti-war protesters accused of the criminal damage of an United States Navy aeroplane at Shannon Airport nearly three and a half years ago has begun at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

The five accused are Ciaron O’Reilly (46), an Australian national and Damien Moran (25) both of Rialto Cottages, Rialto, Dublin; Nuin Dunlop (34), a US citizen and counsellor also living at Rialto Cottages, Rialto; Karen Fallon (35), a Scottish marine biologist at the same address; and Deirdre Clancy (36), a copy editor of Alverno Apartments, Clontarf.

They have pleaded not guilty to two counts each of causing damage without lawful excuse to a naval plane, property of the United States Government and to glass door panels, property of Aer Rianta at Shannon Airport, Clare on February 3, 2003.

In opening the case to the jury Mr Conor Devally SC (with Mr Luan O Braonain BL), prosecuting, said that the incident occurred during a time in which there appeared to be a build up of military personnel in the Middle East and Shannon Airport was being used by the US military.

Mr Devally said that the US aircraft was in a hangar owned by Aer Rianta and that a garda was on duty keeping watch. The garda was patrolling the hangar at around 2.45 a.m. when he heard a loud bang as though glass was breaking and then saw five people enter the hangar carrying hammers.

They proceeded to use the hammers on the aeroplane as the garda pleaded with them to stop. Some time later they put down their weapons. Mr Devally said that the accused persons admit they carried out certain acts on the aircraft but will argue that they had a lawful excuse.

Detective Garda John Duffy told Mr Devally that he took photographs of the scene following the incident and found hammers, wire cutters, a mallet and items which made up part of a shrine.

He agreed that slogans such as “the war ends here”, “put a stop to war”, “death port” and “pit stop for death”, were engraved in the handles of the hammers.

Det Gda Duffy also agreed with Mr Brendan Nix SC, defending Fallon, that a plastic blow up hammer with “hammered by the Irish” written on it was found in the hangar.

The hearing is scheduled to last for over two weeks and continues before Judge Miriam Reynolds and a jury of seven women and five men.

Kilrush’s newly appointed mayor received a baptism of fire on his first evening in the chair.

The first town council meeting chaired by new mayor Stephen O’Gorman (FF) on Thursday last went out of control, as councillors argued among themselves about the traffic management plan, which was not even on the agenda.

At a debate on changing standing orders, Councillor Tom Prendeville (FF) proposed that the monthly meeting be changed from 7pm to 4pm on the second Thursday of every month.

Cllr Marian McMahon-Jones (FG) said the time was not convenient for her and proposed that the meeting be rescheduled for 9am.

The Fine Gael councillor said she felt the time discriminated against her as she would not be able to attend and this was non-democratic. She asked that the councillors reach a consensus on the time. Cllr Prendeville told the councillor however, “when you put your name on a ballot paper you have to be available. It is not non-democratic. We went through a sham with you and Deirdre (Cllr Culligan, Ind) on traffic bylaws. You and Deirdre couldn’t recollect voting to bring parking from 50c to €1.

“When you earn your consensus spurs you will get it,” a visible angry Cllr Prendeville said.

The issue of traffic by-laws, which have already been passed by the council, filtered through the order of business debate with Cllr McMahon- Jones asking the mayor “not to allow the badgering like I received here today.”

“There is a certain document on how to treat fellow councillors. Can I suggest we read it?”

“You treated us as fools,” Cllr Prendeville retorted.

As the council moved on to discussing traffic issues for a local school, the traffic management issue continued to raise its head.

“If that proposal had been included in the by-laws would you have voted for the by-laws?” Cllr Prendeville asked Cllr McMahon Jones, when she proposed the traffic plan for the school. When it was suggested that the issue be discussed by a council subcommittee Tom Prenderville said, “Personally I would find it hard to work with you in REMS (the subcommittee) again Marian.”

Other councillors asked that the meeting stay on course, but the heated debate continued. Cllr Liam O’ Looney (FF) asked the mayor to be stronger with some of the speakers.

ENTERPRISE, Trade and Employment Minister, Michael Martin has confirmed he has approved the new corporate plan for Shannon Development.

The move to approve the plan brings a step nearer, the implementation of the contentious new mandate for Shannon Development, which strips the company of its enterprise functions in the Shannon region.

However, apart from the company’s chief executive, Kevin Thompstone, management team and board, no staff member has seen the contents of the corporate plan, because unions are refusing to co-operate with the new mandate, pending the completion of a clarification process around it.

In a Dáil response to Green Party leader, Trevor Sargent on the issue, Minister Martin said: “I have recently approved the Shannon Development Corporate Plan drawn up, at my request, to give effect to the new mandate. My colleague, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism has also indicated his approval.

“The plan sets out a clear and focused vision on the part of the company for its own future consistent with its mandate. As such it merits the support of all stakeholders in furthering the interests of the region.

“This process has not progressed as quickly as we may have wished, but it is more important to implement changes that all stakeholders can subscribe to rather than impose a unilateral solution that does not fully address the concerns of some of those stakeholders.

“Nevertheless, I expect this process to be brought to a successful conclusion very shortly and that the mandate will be implemented this year. There is no evidence to suggest that the process of engagement that has been undertaken with the staff representatives of the company has, in any way, inhibited investment in the region.

“Under the terms of the new mandate, Shannon Development is being given a more focused regional economic remit that will complement the roles of the national agencies, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, in attracting foreign direct investment and developing the indigenous enterprise base in the region.

“The company will also continue to be responsible for providing appropriate property solutions for both indigenous and overseas enterprises throughout the Shannon region and for the management and development of the Shannon Free Zone Industrial Estate.

Speaking to The Clare People , Shannon Development chief executive, Kevin Thompstone, confirmed that staff had not seen the contents of the corporate plan.

However, he said: “There is no big mystery to it. We have not been treating it like a top secret item, I would have openly shared the thinking around it.

“In essence, the gist of the plan is we are saying, Shannon Development is a regional economic company, our job is to make it easy for investors and visitors to imagine a bright future for the region, to exploit the opportunities, eliminate the obstacles to achieve that ambition and to build a hub of development and activity in the west of Ireland.

“In my role as CEO, it is important that we chart out what we are going to be doing over the next few years and I sat down with the senior management team, worked through that, over the past year and set out clear goals for the company.

“The key means to achieve those objectives: focusing on flagship projects, we will use property as a key tool to deliver those projects and we will use our role as a regional tourism authority to develop strategic marketing initiatives.

“That is the strategy, the plan is about fleshing that out by making sure that we have the capital and revenue resources in order to achieve it.”

THE offer by Shannon Development to fund the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) by €30 million over the first five years of its operation has been withdrawn, it emerged yesterday.

The move by Shannon Development makes the task for the SAA to produce a viable business plan more difficult. Already, the chair of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), Gary McGann has cast serious doubt on the SAA gaining full autonomy.

Last year, in response to moves by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to transfer the assets base of Shannon Development to the SAA, Shannon Development produced a counter-offer to fund the SAA with €30 million over the first five years of operation.

In announcing the new mandate for Shannon Development last July, Minister Martin noted the offer from Shannon Development.

The business plan is still being drawn up by the SAA. However the move by Shannon Development to shelve its proposed funding of the SAA now leaves a gaping hole in that plan.

Speaking after the publication of Shannon Development’s annual report, chief executive, Kevin Thompstone said: “Any funding issue that may or may or not exist for the airport authority will have to be resolved elsewhere. Funding of that magnitude to be transferred to the SAA is not provided for.

“We wouldn’t be planning any financial contribution to the SAA into the future.”

Mr Thompstone explained: “In early 2005, there was a proposal to transfer the assets base. We put forward an alternative funding model, which we worked out with the SAA and agreed how that would work and the amount involved.

“As it turned out, with the announcement of the new mandate, that proposal was effectively shelved at that point and as I understand it, the SAA is looking at alternative sources of funding.

“Things have moved on from the Shannon Development perspective. In our corporate plan, we have projects and initiatives that we need to deliver around the region that are going to be hungry for capital and funding is earmarked for those projects.

“The best way we can make a contribution to the airport authority is through development of flagship projects for the airport,” he said.

THE vast majority of people at Shannon Development have acted professionally in relation to the tensions that have arisen at the company.

That is the view of company CEO, Kevin Thompstone, who was speaking publicly for the first time on the tensions that have arisen between staff and the board.

Last November, 93 per cent of workers at Shannon Development voted in favour of industrial action, should alleged excessive interference by board members in the dayto-day running of the semi-state body, continue.

It was the first time in the 47-year history of the company that workers voted for industrial action.

Mr Thompstone said, “Yes, there have been tensions between board and executive, but we have been working to clear the air on those issues. While those tensions have been there, the vast majority of people have been acting professionally.

“Where issues have caused tensions, we have tried to resolve them and address them. That is something that we have had to live with.

“Sometimes, I feel like the meat in the sandwich. I say to staff that directors have significant responsibilities under company law and directors have got to take their responsibilities seriously,

“You have got to get used to that, don’t be interpreting a board member expressing views about how you do your work, that is part of the dynamic between board and executive in any organisation

“I have been saying to board members, everyone at Shannon Development comes to work to do a good job, people are proud of what they do and people feel that they have contributed significantly. We have got a good track record.

“Change is never easy for anyone to deal with. At the same time, going through a change-management programme in a public sector environment is very different to the private sector environment.

“I have been saying to board members that while change may not happen the way you would like to see it in private sector, there are people who are very committed to this company.

“I think ultimately, everybody wants to get to the same place: Shannon Development delivering the best possible results for people, investors and visitors to the region.

“You could argue that it is not surprising that tensions have arisen and I see it as part of my job to steer us through that and make sure we get through that and I am convinced that we will.”

He added: “The most important thing is to be honest with people. It is a combination of two groups of people trying to get to the same place, but maybe having differences around the best methodology of getting there.

“I strongly believe that to affect change in a company and deliver projects, you have got to bring people with you. You don’t have to be affecting mayhem all over the place to affect change and certainly that is the philosophy I would bring to the job.

“My approach is to put everything on the table, clear the air, then move on, that is hopefully the atmosphere that we’re getting into at this point.”

THE FLOTATION of Aer Lingus could come with a knock-down price tag, according to international aviation analysts.

The Government last week cleared the way for a September public offering of the airline. But it now appears that estimates are putting the price of the airline much lower than the €1 billion plus, which was the hoped for price tag.

Airline analyst with London company, Dresden Kleinwort, Mike Powell, said that the Government would face a “tightrope walk” in selling Aer Lingus, with a tough time ahead for the Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Aer Lingus will be coming on the heels of the troubled experience of Air Berlin, whose shares continue to trade below their sale price. They were floated on the stock market in May.

“Look how difficult it was getting away the Air Berlin IPO,” said Powell. “It’s not going to be an easy IPO for Aer Lingus. You cannot overprice an airline offering, particularly against a background of rising oil prices.”

Another analyst, Florence Tassan of Société Générale in Paris said that with oil prices remaining at above 70 dollars a barrel, it will be vital that the sale is keenly priced.

“Investors will be cautious and it is likely that the Aer Lingus valuation will be below the valuations for Air Berlin.”

That level of valuation would see the Irish airline floated at around €800 million, below the hoped-for €1.1 billion. On the positive side, traffic figures for airlines such as BA, Easyjet and Air France show that the industry is experiencing its best conditions in six years.

The warnings on overpricing have come just days after workers at Shannon and Dublin staged a protest against privatisation, which saw services in both airports stop for an hour. Just two flights were affected in Shannon, with one flight to London leaving on time, despite delays in check in, and a flight to Chicago leaving an hour late.

Shares in the airline will be aimed primarily at institutional investors, but there will be some shares made available to the public. But to guard against any repetition of the Eircom privatisation in 1999, a minimum investment of €10,000 will be required. Last year, Aer Lingus chairman, John Sharman, said it was right that the airline’s passengers be allowed to invest in the airline.

FINE Gael’s Madeleine TaylorQuinn has condemned the Government’s decision to sell Aer Lingus. as “reckless and irresponsible”.

The former Dáil frontbench spokesperson on tourism accused the Government of having “rammed through the Oireachtas the sale of Aer Lingus. They have shown such gross irresponsibility – it is almost beyond belief. They have dismissed the entire interests of Shannon Airport and the people of this county and region, which depend on it.

“Our economic security, and the security of our local communities that comes with balanced regional growth, has just been sacrificed in an act of monumental political foolishness.”

She said that the State’s capacity to underpin regular scheduled flights at Shannon “has proved to be a fundamental cornerstone of our economic security. Now that has been cast aside by people too incompetent to realise that our export and tourism-dominated economy cannot thrive, when the vital infrastructure to support it, is stripped away.”

She added that good economic policy was about providing the necessary infrastructure for the market to grow. “Balanced regional growth is about helping the market to grow in vulnerable areas. But, the end result of this woeful sale is that a viable economic future of the county and the region has just been put in serious jeopardy. I have no doubt that this is something that will impact greatly in the years ahead, particularly as the economy levels out and slows down,” Ms Taylor-Quinn said.

While welcoming the prospect of new US airlines coming into Shannon, she pointed out that these were only seasonal benefits.

“We need scheduled flights – concrete transport infrastructure. Aer Lingus has shown a lack of commitment to this and we have seen this Government rubber-stamp that lack of commitment. Aer Lingus is now almost totally Dublin-focussed, not simply because of the sale, but also because the current Government has sought the removal of the bilateral agreement. Because of the influence that Aer Lingus has on Irish air transport, major technology companies will increasingly need to cluster around Dublin, tourists that should be flying here, will instead fly into Dublin and our local exporters will be forced to transport out of Dublin”’ she said.

FINE Gael TD Pat Breen has come out in support of the stance of Shannon-based Aer Lingus workers in relation to job security and pension issue fears.

Deputy Breen was speaking in the Dáil on the Government motion to sell Aer Lingus.

The TD said that Shannon jobs were at risk due to the uncertainties in the industry and the fears raised over the mishandling of the airline’s sale.

He said the workers were the people who had protected the airport through the years, yet their security and pension rights were now in jeopardy.

“They will be the victims of what will happen in Aer Lingus in the future. I worry about the future of those working in the Airbus A330 hangar at Shannon Airport. In a privatised Aer Lingus, the jobs of workers at check-in desks at Shannon Airport could be at stake because a new owner could decide to sub-contract this work.”

He pointed out that Shannon Airport was the second-largest airport in the country, and that it is the “key economic driver for business and tourism in the mid-west region. It is a counterbalance to the immense growth in the eastern region.”

He said that since the withdrawal of World Airways from Shannon Airport, catering work had gone from 3,000 meals a day to 800.

The airport had been the main loser when Aer Lingus decided to cut its services as a reaction to 9/11.

“We lost in the region of 64 flights in Shannon Airport. Since then there has been a continual erosion of services.

“This year we have only four direct flights a week from Shannon to the US. The rest of the services originate in Dublin and go onwards to Shannon. That cuts back capacity for people coming in through our airport.”

Deputy Breen said that the climate was wrong for floating Aer Lingus on the stock exchange, with investor confidence at very low levels.

“Although Ryanair had its highest profits ever this year, the share price is down approximately 15 per cent since the beginning of the year. The share price has been flat over the past three years.

“One might question if this is the correct time to have an initial public offering.”

Deputy Breen accused Transport Minister Martin Cullen of making a fatal mistake in negotiating the three-for-one rule when he renegotiated the Bilateral Agreement last year in the run up to Open Skies.

“As a result of Aer Lingus being so small, in a post Open Skies scenario the company could be swallowed up by the big carriers, such as British Airways and Lufthansa.”

MINISTER of State, Tim O’Malley, has called for the Limerick to Galway road to be speeded up and has also backed calls for a direct rail link to the airport as part of plans for the Western Rail Corridor.

Minister O’Malley said that the proposed completion date for the road of 2014 was too far away.

“This project must be brought forward by at least three years and be completed not later than 2011,” the Limerick East TD said.

He added that he was hopeful of getting cooperation from his colleagues in Government in having the plan brought forward.

“The Limerick to Galway motorway should be completed at or around the same time as the motorways linking Dublin to the major cities. I believe this is now achievable. If I can get support from my colleagues in Government for this, then this project could be completed by 2011, up to three years ahead of schedule,” he said.

Pointing to the need for a link from the Western Rail Corridor to the airport, he said that he was “confident there will be positive announcements in this area shortly.”

NEW figures this week reveal that 414 complaints from the public about litter, illegal dumping and unauthorised dumping have been received by Clare County Council. Of these, approximately 65 per cent relate to suspected illegal dumping activities.

The figures have been released as part of an ongoing information campaign by the council to prevent the unauthorised collection and disposal of waste.

“Such illegal activity is inexcusable considering there are four recycling centres, including two transfer stations, 54 recycling bring banks and a central waste management facility located in Clare. It is time to stamp out this crime and raise awareness of the importance of our countryside,” said Sean Ward, Acting Director of Service, Environment Directorate.

The litter laws have increased the council’s powers to combat the problem.

Anyone involved in such activity does not necessarily have to be caught in the act in order to face prosecution. Also, if your waste is collected by an illegal collector and illegally dumped, both you and the illegal collector could face prosecution under the Litter Pollution Act 1997, Waste Management Act 19962000 and Protection of the Environment Act 2003, to a maximum of €130,000.

In addition, leaving or throwing litter in a public place can be subject to an on-the-spot fine of €125, or a maximum fine of €3,000 if you are convicted of a litter offence in the District Court. Clare local authorities issued 205 fines in the first half of 2006 alone.

One of the greatest problems still facing the local authority, according to Mr Ward, is the repeated use of various sites for illegal dumping.

It is suspected that several small Limerick-based operators collect waste from estates in Limerick at cut-price rates, and dispose of it illegally in parts of southeast Clare.

“Numerous locations throughout Clare have become prone to such violations and communities must be vigilant when litter offences present. Once located, the site is investigated and where possible, action taken . . .

Roadside checkpoints are also being held in cooperation with Garda, throughout the county, on a regular basis to try and prevent this form of illegal waste collection,” Mr Ward concluded.