A State prosecution against three anti-war activists for an alleged incursion into the runway area of Shannon Airport that shut the airport down for 35 minutes is to be heard before a jury in the circuit court.
This follows Judge Alec Gabbett declining district court jurisdiction in the case against the three and the case will now be heard before Ennis Circuit Court.
At Ennis District Court, Judge Gabbett commented that if an airport closed down because of a protest it is extremely serious.
Solicitor for the three, Tara Godfrey said that her three clients were concerned over a breach of law occurring on the runways at Shannon Airport.
In the case, the three are charged with interfering with the operation, management and safety of Shannon airport by entering the runway area and causing the closure of the airport on March 30th contrary to Section 47 of the Air Navigation Act and Transport (Amendment) Act, 1998.
The three, Emer Walshe (32) of Fernhill, North Circular Rd, Limerick; Aine Ni Threinir (33) of Cuirt Na Tra, Salthill, Galway and Aindriu De Buitleir (28)- of Til Na Nog, Bothar An Tismein, An Cheathru Run, Gaillimhe were already charged with trespass at the West Apron at Shannon Airport.
The three – including two members of the Galway Palestine Solidarity Campaign (GPSC) – were protesting at the US military use of Shannon airport.
At a court hearing into the case earlier this month Det Sergeant Kevin O’Hagan said that the alleged incursion resulted in the airport having to be closed for 35 minutes.
He said that a scheduled Ryanair flight due to take off had to be stopped from doing so as the three were in the vicinity.
Judge Gabbett asked about the costs to the airport from the shutdown and Det O’Hagan said that airport authorities were not able to quantify costs of the closure.
Det O’Hagan said: “They can’t provide a quantifiable cost.”
Det Sgt O’Hagan said that at the time of the alleged incursion “it will be alleged that the three accused walked in an area that is not traversed at all by people”.
Det O’Hagan said that after authorities became aware of the alleged incursion, there was a may-day landing and an aircraft with engine trouble had to come to land, which was completed.
Judge Gabbett has now adjourned the case to September 4th to allow a Book of Evidence be prepared for a trial before a jury at Ennis Circuit Court and remanded the three on continuing bail.
Due to the current backlog in cases, it is likely that the trial won’t be heard until sometime in 2025.
