Courts / Clare / Report
Shannon accused 'nicest and most courteous' protestors, witness says
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former Shannon Airport fire officer Richard Moloney described Ken Mayers (85) and Tarak Kauff (80) as the most courteous protesters he had met. The men, both U.S. residents, were arrested in March 2019 after allegedly cutting a hole in a perimeter fence and trespassing on airport land. They claimed to be peace protesters checking an American aircraft, holding a banner that read 'US veterans say respect Irish neutrality. American war machine out of Shannon Airport'. The court heard that the airport was shut for 30–40 minutes, delaying two departing planes and a Turkish Airlines cargo aircraft. Both men pleaded not guilty to criminal damage, trespassing and interfering with airport operations. The case remains before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Shannon accused 'nicest and most courteous' protestors, witness says. Charges or matters: three counts in relation to the alleged incident; criminal damage to a perimeter fence at the airport on March 17, 2019; trespassing the curtilage of a building with the intent to commit an offence or unlawfully damage property; interfering with the operation, safety or management of an airport, namely by entering a runway area and causing it to close; the same charges. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 17, 2019 Incident
- 2022-04-26 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: three counts in relation to the alleged incident; criminal damage to a perimeter fence at the airport on March 17, 2019; trespassing the curtilage of a building with the intent to commit an offence or unlawfully damage property; interfering with the operation, safety or management of an airport, namely by entering a runway area and causing it to close; the same charges (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Accused
Charges: three counts in relation to the alleged incident; criminal damage to a perimeter fence at the airport on March 17, 2019; trespassing the curtilage of a building with the intent to commit an offence or unlawfully damage property; interfering with the operation, safety or management of an airport, namely by entering a runway area and causing it to close; the same charges (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- High Court
- Shannon
- Monte Alte Road
- Arnold Drive
- Limerick
- Limerick prison
- in charge at Shannon Garda Station
- Shannon
Topics
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