Courts / Clare / Report

Octogenarian US army vets fined for interfering in Shannon operations

Date
2022-05-04

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Shannon

County
Clare

Summary

Two US army veterans, Ken Mayers (85) and Tarak Kauff (80), were fined €5,000 each after a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury found them guilty of interfering with the operation, safety or management of Shannon Airport. The men, who had cut a hole in the airport's perimeter fence with bolt cutters on St. Patrick's Day 2019, entered the runway area, causing the airport to close for about 40 minutes and delaying flights. They were acquitted of criminal damage to the fence and of trespassing with intent to commit an offence. The court noted their age, cooperation, lack of prior convictions and that they had already spent 13 days in Limerick prison. The fine was imposed as the penalty for the interference charge, with the men required to lodge an additional €2,500 each as a condition of bail. The case highlighted the men's anti‑war activism and their belief that their actions were justified to protect lives. Ken Mayers pleaded not guilty. Tarak Kauff pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Octogenarian US army vets fined for interfering in 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: sentence

When:

March 17, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
2022-05-04 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

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

Outcome: Photo: Collins) By Isabel Hayes and Claire Henry Two US army veterans in their 80s have been fined €5,000 each for interfering with the operation of Shannon Airport as part of an anti-war protest three years ago.

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