IAWM BULLETIN 25 MARCH 2019
In this bulletin:
• PUNISHMENT WITHOUT TRIAL – two US Veterans for Peace arrested at Shannon Warport
• IAWM STATEMENT ON CHRISTCHURCH MURDERS
• ANTI-WAR LETTERS TO MEDIA
• DONATING TO THE IAWM
1. PUNISHMENT WITHOUT TRIAL –
Press Statement
Two US Veterans For Peace refused Bail at Ennis District Court
Monday 18 March
Charged with Trespass and causing Criminal Damage at Shannon airport
2. A group of seven US Veterans for Peace took part in protest against US Military Base at Shannon airport on Sunday March 17th.
WHY? Up to one million [1,000,000] children have died due to US-led wars in the Middle East since 1991
3. An OMNI Air International plane, tail number N351AX, on contract to the US military had arrived at Shannon Airport about 8.30 a.m. from Eielson US air force base in Faribanks Alaska, most likely on its way to the Middle East with up to 300 armed US troops.
At about 10 am US Veterans For Peace Ken Mayers and Tarak Kauff, entered Shannon air field for the purpose of inspecting and investigating this aircraft which they believed to be carrying up to 300 armed US troops through Shannon airport. They were carrying a large banner that said:
U.S. Veterans say
Respect Irish Neutrality
U.S. War Machine out of Shannon Airport
Veterans For Peace
The two peace activists walked across the air field with the intent of inspecting it for weapons or munitions before being apprehended by airport security and Gardai. There were detained and interviewed at Shannon Garda station until about 6pm and then their period of detention was extended for a further six hours. At about 9.30 pm they were allowed to call Ellen Davidson and they informed her that their period of detention was being extended overnight and that they were being brought Ennis Court on Monday 18 March at 10 am to face charges of trespass and criminal damage.
IAWM BULLETIN 25 MARCH 2019
In this bulletin:
• PUNISHMENT WITHOUT TRIAL – two US Veterans for Peace arrested at Shannon Warport
• IAWM STATEMENT ON CHRISTCHURCH MURDERS
• ANTI-WAR LETTERS TO MEDIA
• DONATING TO THE IAWM
1. PUNISHMENT WITHOUT TRIAL –
Press Statement
Two US Veterans For Peace refused Bail at Ennis District Court
Monday 18 March
Charged with Trespass and causing Criminal Damage at Shannon airport
2. A group of seven US Veterans for Peace took part in protest against US Military Base at Shannon airport on Sunday March 17th.
WHY? Up to one million [1,000,000] children have died due to US-led wars in the Middle East since 1991
3. An OMNI Air International plane, tail number N351AX, on contract to the US military had arrived at Shannon Airport about 8.30 a.m. from Eielson US air force base in Faribanks Alaska, most likely on its way to the Middle East with up to 300 armed US troops.
At about 10 am US Veterans For Peace Ken Mayers and Tarak Kauff, entered Shannon air field for the purpose of inspecting and investigating this aircraft which they believed to be carrying up to 300 armed US troops through Shannon airport. They were carrying a large banner that said:
U.S. Veterans say
Respect Irish Neutrality
U.S. War Machine out of Shannon Airport
Veterans For Peace
The two peace activists walked across the air field with the intent of inspecting it for weapons or munitions before being apprehended by airport security and Gardai. There were detained and interviewed at Shannon Garda station until about 6pm and then their period of detention was extended for a further six hours. At about 9.30 pm they were allowed to call Ellen Davidson and they informed her that their period of detention was being extended overnight and that they were being brought Ennis Court on Monday 18 March at 10 am to face charges of trespass and criminal damage.
4. At Ennis District Court this morning Ken and Tarak were represented by solicitor Darragh Hassett. The prosecution outlined the charges against them and indicated that they were opposed to bail. Garda Sergeant Noel Carroll gave evidence of arrest on Taxiway 12 at Shannon airport. He also stated that there was a US military aircraft at the airport, most likely referring to OMNI Air N351AX. He also confirmed that the defendants were both veterans of the US military. Inspector Kennedy said there had been substantial damage to the airport perimeter fence.
When the bail issue was being discussed Solicitor Hassett initially stated that the defendants were prepared to agree to bail conditions that involved surrendering their passports, and remaining in Ireland for the duration of the legal processes. This was an unacceptable condition as it would mean that the defendants would have to remain in Ireland at their own expense for up to two years before the trial would occur, and this restriction amounts to punishment without trial. The defendants then requested an adjournment to discuss matters with their solicitor. After the court resumed Solicitor Hassett did emphasize that the defendants needed to return home to the USA and would sign a sworn undertaking to return for trial. The prosecution opposed this and continued to oppose the granting of any bail to them. Judge Maire Keane then ruled that she was denying bail to the accused and remanded them in custody to Limerick Prison, and they are to appear for a further court mention hearing by video from the prison on Wednesday 20 March.
5. Further discussions were then held with Solicitor Hassett. He raised the option of appealing the bail refusal to the High Court in Dublin and he was told to lodge such an appeal. He indicated that it would likely be Thursday 28 March before this High Court appeal would be heard.
This process is a clear attempt to punish the two Veterans For Peace activists before any trial takes place. These events must be used by all peace and human rights activists in Ireland and internationally to campaign not only on behalf of Ken Mayers and Tarak Kauff, but more importantly on behalf of all the innocent people who are being killed and injured by US illegal wars.
6. Major Ken Mayers served 12 years in the USMC. He is a former National Board member of Veterans For Peace and a member of the veterans peace team delegations to Palestine, Okinawa, Jeju Island, South Korea and Standing Rock.
7. Tarak Kauff was a paratrooper in the US Army during the early sixties. He was a member of the VFP National Board of Directors for six years. He has organized veterans delegations to Palestine, Okinawa, South Korea and Standing Rock. He is currently the managing editor of Peace In Our Times, VFP’s quarterly 24-page newspaper.
8. Contact details:
Ellen Davidson Veterans For Peace USA, Phone +353863539911
Edward Horgan, Veterans For Peace Ireland, Phone +353858519623 edwardhorgan45@gmail.com
2. IAWM STATEMENT ON CHRISTCHURCH MURDERS
https://irishantiwar.org/node/2558
3. ANTI-WAR LETTERS TO MEDIA
Letter re Christchurch murders – https://irishantiwar.org/node/2561
and
Letter re Irish Troops in Golan Heights, Syria – https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/irish-troops-and-the-golan-heights-1.3835519
4. DONATING TO THE IAWM
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