Officials deny use of airport by US military
The Government has denied claims by anti-war activists that Shannon Airport is being used to transport US military equipment to aid Israel's offensive.
The Department of Transport said airlines carrying weapons or bombs must seek permission to land in Ireland or over-fly Irish airspace and no such permission has been sought for Israel-bound flights.
However, anti-war activists claim there has been increased activity at Shannon Airport in recent days and added that a new website logging details of US war planes at the hub has been mysteriously shut down.
virus
The Shannonwatch.org site, which only went live last month, was repeatedly attacked by a sophisticated virus which has crippled its server.
Limerick-based anti-war activist John Lannon said: "We know that the US has military contracts with Israel and we have to consider that it could be possible that Shannon is being used to transport military equipment for the war against Gaza."
A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport said: "There have been no recent requests to the Department of Transport in respect of a flight to Israel.''
Mr Lannon said he could only speculate why the Shannonwatch.org site is being attacked, and by whom.
"It may be linked to the fact that the website lists the known CIA-controlled planes that have used Shannon airport since August, along with details of other rendition planes that people should watch out for.''
hnews@herald.ie
- Senan Hogan
