Activist says she had to stop US planes landing

The anti-war activist charged with criminal damage to a US navy aircraft told a jury yesterday that it was extraordinary thing to damage the plane.

On the third day of her trial, addressing the jury of eight men and four women, Ms Mary Kelly (52) said: "You are right to think it was an extraordinary thing to do and it was." The jury has been told that the damage to the plane cost $1.5 million. Ms Kelly denies the charge of causing criminal damage without lawful excuse to the 737 aircraft at Shannon airport on January 29th, 2003.

At Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, Ms Kelly, who is representing herself in the case, told the jury that she felt helpless while staying at the Peace Camp at Shannon Airport in January 2003 as the Irish Government was doing nothing to prevent the US planes from landing in Shannon.

She said: "I knew that I had to do something very strong. I decided that I had to stop these planes landing at Shannon or try to stop them. I had to do something to protect the life of the Iraqi people and I believe that I acted as a responsible citizen."

The trial continues on Tuesday.