The continued use of Shannon Airport by the United States military is a ‘huge breach of Irish neutrality’, campaigners have warned.
New figures have revealed that over the last three years, 220,000 US troops have travelled through the airport.
On Newstalk Breakfast, neutrality campaigner and former member of the Defence Forces Dr Edward Hogan described it as “a lot of soldiers”.
“Even worse in fact, over the last 25 years, up to four million armed US troops have passed through Shannon Airport,” he said.
“This is very clearly a huge breach of international law and neutrality.
“It effectively means Ireland is no longer neutral.”
The advanced party has arrived in #ShannonAirport ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit later, on the Boeing 747 VC-25A. The aircraft is emblazoned with the words “United States of America,” the American flag, & Seal of the President of the United States. #TrumpShannonVisit pic.twitter.com/3OusA33uhJ
— Shannon Airport (@ShannonAirport) June 5, 2019
Dr Hogan said the figures were all the more alarming given Washington’s support for Israel and their actions in Gaza.
“But we should not be supporting Israel in their genocide,” he said.
“There are breaches of international law occurring and we’re supporting the US who are the main supplier to Israel.
“Some of these weapons we now know are going through Irish airspace - some of them likely through Shannon Airport.”
Neutrality on Ukraine
Dr Hogan also said he was unhappy with Ireland “assisting one side in a war in Ukraine.”
Instead, he urged the Government to try “making friends with other countries”.
“Ireland has been supplying what’s called ‘non-lethal’ military equipment,” he said.
“There’s no such thing as ‘non-lethal’ military equipment, all military equipment is used to kill people.
“We are also providing training to Ukrainian soldiers to help them to kill Russian soldiers.
“This is not neutrality by any manner or means.”
Since last year, the Defence Forces have trained Ukrainians in counter-improvised explosive devices, combat medical training and engineering training.
Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers defended this on the grounds Ireland is “not neutral when it comes to the war in Ukraine”.
Instead, she said it is the policy of the Irish Government that, "We want them to win this.”
Main image: Air Force Two on the tarmac at Shannon Airport. Image: Julian Behal
