Letter to Irish Ministers re US Peace veterans in Limerick prison

 Photo credit: Ellen Davidson

To: Minister Charles Flanagan
Minister for Justice and Equality
Dáil Éireann
Dublin

Copies : President Higgins, Taoiseach Varadkar,  Minister Ross, Minister Coveney


Dear Minister Flanagan

Further to my telephone call to your office this morning, during which  I lodged a complaint and protest with your secretary, Paula, I wish to confirm in writing that I am protesting the detainment in Limerick prison of two veterans for peace of the US army who are in Ireland with 5 other companions to help put an end to Irish participation in US led wars.

On Sunday last, 17 March, an OMNI Air International plane, number N351AX, which is on contract to the US military, had arrived at Shannon Airport about 8.30 a.m. from Eielson US air force base in Fairbanks Alaska, most likely on its way to the Middle East with armed US troops. At around 10 a.m. the two  Veterans, Ken Mayers and Tarak Kauff, entered Shannon air field for the purpose of inspecting and investigating this aircraft which they believed to be carrying the armed US troops through our civilian airport. They were carrying a large banner that asked us to respect Irish Neutrality and keep the U.S. War Machine [their words] out of Shannon Airport. Before they got to the plane they were arrested and brought to Shannon Garda station.

They were questioned and detained there  until about 6 pm when their period of detention was extended for a further six hours  At 9.30 pm, they were allowed to make a phone call and told a fellow American, Ellen Davidson, that they were being held overnight.

On the following day in Ennis District Court they were charged with "trespass and criminal damage" and denied bail at the request of the prosecution. Not realising that it would take about two years for the case to come to trial they offered to surrender their passports but later their solicitor advised the court they were willing to swear affidavits that they would return to Ireland for trial whenever needed.  Nevertheless, the prosecution persisted in opposing bail and Judge  Marie Keane again agreed with the prosecution and remanded them in custody to Limerick Prison.   They are to appear for further court mention proceedings  by video from Limerick  prison on Wednesday 20 March.

In my opinion this is outrageous for many reasons. 

Firstly and paramountly, three branches of Government, Justice, Transport and Foreign Affairs, turn a blind eye to the passage of US troops through Shannon, allowing it in effect to be a US military base.  Time and again all three Departments engage in stonewall-speak in the Dáil when asked legitimate questions about, or when presented with moral arguments against, this abuse of a civilian airport.  The veterans uncover the implicit lies in all of this stonewall-speak.

Secondly, the US Peace veterans are honourable people - whistleblowers against wrongdoing - upholding the best principles of Nuremberg, especially Principles 2,3,4,6 and 7. They know what's happening in US war zones.  They know of the innocents murdered. They are crying out on behalf of the innocents. "If these hold their peace the very stones would cry out".

Thirdly, Limerick prison is an unsafe place for former US soldiers who are in danger of attack there from prisoners who might mistake them for warmongers rather than peace veterans.

The treatment of these brave people since they did their peace action at Shannon.has been despicable and a disgrace to Ireland and its people.
I call on you to release them immediately and order our own investigation into the war planes that are flying through our civilian airport.  A previous Taoiseach (Ahern) cravenly accepted the word of "the great President Bush" as he called him (even in the aftermath of the Iraq war) that there were no terror suspects on the planes going through Shannon.  Now your government refuses to confirm that armed US soldiers are passing through it.  We know better.

Stand for the truth.  Stand for justice.  Stand for peace.

Stand with the veterans not with Mr Trump.

With best personal wishes
Justin Morahan