Anti-war student fails in bail change bid

A student accused of spray-painting anti-war graffiti on a US Hercules aircraft at Shannon airport last September has failed in an attempt to have his bail terms changed to allow him visit the Peace Camp at the airport.

Mr Eoin Dubsky (22), Gorey, Co Wexford, applied at Shannon District Court yesterday to have the condition that he not go within five miles of Shannon airport lifted.Judge Joseph Mangan refused the application and remanded Mr Dubsky on continuing bail to reappear before Shannon District Court on February 18th. Last month, evidence in the case was heard at a day-long hearing at Tulla District Court.

A second anti-war protester faced charges yesterday at Shannon District Court relating to an anti-war protest at Shannon on December 15th, 2001.

Ms Rebecca James Garcia, Blackpool, Cork, is facing a summons relating to the alleged assault of a garda at the protest and a summons relating to engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour on the same date at Shannon. The court was told that a number of witnesses would be called in Ms Garcia's defence. The case was adjourned to March 4th.

Yesterday, another Hercules aircraft was present on the airfield at Shannon while peace campaigners estimated that another 1,000 US troops passed through the airport yesterday. An Aer Rianta spokesman confirmed that seven aircraft operated by World Airways and American Transair went through the airport yesterday.

Both airlines are transferring US troops to the Gulf. However the spokesman said that four of the aircraft contained no passengers. On Wednesday eight aircraft operated by the two airlines passed through the airport, though the Aer Rianta spokesman said three did not contain any passengers.

A member of Refuelling Peace and Peace Camp, Mr Conor Cregan said, "it is clear evidence of a big build-up now and the US now seem to be getting as many troops through as possible, but we are extremely happy with the response we are getting at the Peace Camp."