Courts / Clare / Report

Jury convicts octogenarian US army veterans of interfering with Shannon operations

Date
2022-05-03

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Shannon

County
Clare

Summary

Two US army veterans, Ken Mayers (85) and Tarak Kauff (80), were tried at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for actions taken during an anti‑war protest at Shannon Airport in 2019. The jury acquitted them of criminal damage to the perimeter fence and of trespassing with intent to commit an offence, but found them guilty of interfering with the operation, safety or management of the airport by entering the runway area and causing the airport to close. The verdict was 10‑to‑2. The men had cut a hole in the fence with bolt cutters, walked onto airport land, and were stopped by an airport officer. Their protest was aimed at inspecting US military aircraft and protesting the use of Shannon as a staging point for Middle East operations. The judge ordered them to return passports and set a sentencing date for the following day. Ken Mayers pleaded not guilty. Tarak Kauff pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury convicts octogenarian US army veterans of interfering with Shannon operations. Charges or matters: trespass, criminal damage and interfering with the operation, safety or management of Shannon Airport on March 17, 2019. Procedural stage: trial

When:

March 17, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
2022-05-03 Publication

Why: At the heart of the defence case in relation to the criminal damage charge was the assertion that the accused men held an honestly-held belief that their action in cutting the fence was justified in order to protect other persons. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Ken Mayers

Convicted Person

Charges: trespass, criminal damage and interfering with the operation, safety or management of Shannon Airport on March 17, 2019 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Tarak Kauff

Defendant

Charges: trespass, criminal damage and interfering with the operation, safety or management of Shannon Airport on March 17, 2019 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty