RTÉ Brainstorm – The problem with Shannon airport’s contentious US visitors
Whitaker Institute member Dr Shane Darcy, Conflict, Humanitarianism and Security cluster leader, has a new piece on RTE Brainstorm. The article looks at the use of Shannon airport by the US military.
The problem with Shannon airport’s contentious US visitors
Opinion: the continuing use of the airport by US military may create legal issues for Ireland with the International Criminal Court
The visit in January of United States Vice-President Mike Pence to Shannon airport, where he met with United States troops travelling to Iraq, has again highlighted the ongoing use of the airport by the world’s most militarily powerful state. The long-standing arrangement allowing United States personnel to travel through the airport has proven to be both politically and legally contentious.
While successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments have continued to support the policy of putting the airport at the disposal of the United States in this way, there has been steady opposition from other political parties and civil society groups. Sinn Féin, who received the highest share of first preference votes in the general election, have called for an end to the use of Shannon as a stopping point for United States forces. Outgoing Labour leader Brendan Howlin made a similar call following the visit of Pence. Protests have regularly been held at the airport since 2001. Continue reading…