The operator of Shannon airport is to install high security ‘anti-ram’ barriers at the airport aimed at combating further unauthorised airfield incursions.
The move by Shannon Airport Authority DAC follows five separate alleged airport incursions by Pro-Palestinian activists on five separate dates at the County Clare airport from March 2024 to April of this year.
The Pro-Palestinian activists are protesting against the ongoing use of Shannon airport by the US military.
Charges have been brought in all cases but no trial has yet proceeded at Ennis Circuit Court in relation to any of the charges.
The new Shannon Airport Authority DAC tender for the supply, delivery and installation support of the anti-ram barriers follows one incident involving three Pro-Palestinian activists on November 22nd where it will be alleged that a Ford Transit van entered the apron at Shannon airport when crashing through an exit barrier at speed.
After allegedly crashing through the barrier, it will be further alleged that the van drove at speed to a location where there was a US military plane.
At the scene, Defence Force members briefly drew their weapons until the situation was under control.
The new invite for tender seeks the supply and install support for the delivery of two anti-ram barriers at the ‘Vehicle Entry Point’ to Shannon Airport.
The tender states that “the project aims to enhance security by creating a secure controlled zone for vehicle and pedestrian checks, preventing unauthorised access, and mitigating the risk of airfield incursions”.
The tender states that the vehicle entry point “serves as the primary entry and exit route for both vehicles and pedestrians and operates 24 hours a day”.
The tender documentation states that the “proposed works will form a critical component of the airport’s security infrastructure, supporting operational safety and compliance with airfield protection requirements”.
It states that the project aims to install a system of two anti-ram barriers — one on the entrance lane and one on the exit lane — creating a secure, controlled zone.
The tender states that the existing arm barriers will be relocated by others.
The new automatic electro-hydraulic high-security barriers are to be crash-test certified with an international test report.
In a written Dáil reply last month to Aidan Farrelly TD (Soc Dem), the Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD (FG) said that the costs associated with Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) army duties at Shannon airport for 2024 to end April 2026 total €629,768.
Minister McEntee stated that the cost to the end of April this year concerning AFCP for Shannon airport total €95,696, €289,274 for 2025 and €244,798 for 2024.
In a separate written Dáil reply to Deputy Farrelly last month, Minister for Transport, Daragh O’Brien TD (FF) said that in April he approved a capital funding allocation of €1.93m for Shannon airport which includes support for the airport’s ‘Airfield Security Perimeter Fence’ project expected to be delivered this year.
The closing date for tenders is July 6th.
