Attacks by peace campaigners on a US navy jet are now thought to have caused about €4 million in damage, four times more than believed previously.
The cargo aircraft was stationed at Shannon Airport when it was attacked on two occasions by campaigners against the US military build-up in the Gulf.
The nose, hydraulic lines and front wheel of the navy 737 were damaged when it was struck repeatedly with a hatchet in the first attack, on January 29th. An anti-war activist, Ms Mary Kelly (50), has been charged in relation the incident. Her case will be heard before a jury in the Circuit Court.
Days later, protesters linked to the Catholic Workers' Movement overpowered a garda at the hangar where the aircraft was grounded after the first attack. Five individuals were charged over that incident, on February 3rd. They were: Mr Ciaran O'Reilly (42), Mr Damien Moran (22), Ms Nuin Dunlop (31), Ms Deirdre Clancy (32) and Ms Karen Fallon (30). Their case will also be heard in the Circuit Court.
US officials had conveyed "serious concern" to the Government after the second attack. It was at that stage that the Cabinet approved the deployment of the Army to guard US military planes refuelling at Shannon. Armed Garda detectives had been deployed after the first attack.
While senior gardaí stated in court hearings that €500,000 damage could have been caused in each of the attacks, it is now understood that the ultimate cost of repairs is likely to be in the region of €4 million.
This was confirmed by one informed individual, who added it was not clear who would pay the bill. While it is believed the plane and the airport might have been insured for such damage, the cost of repairs is likely to fall to the Government or Aer Rianta. No decision has been reached on this point, it is believed.
The peace camp at the airport disbanded in early February, after the Government decided to deploy the Army. But in April, protesters again breached security at the airport. In addition to pouring holy water on the runway, they prayed, planted potatoes and built a shrine to victims of the war.
The breaches of security were highly embarrassing for the Government, the Garda and Aer Rianta. They caused a political headache for Government, as it sought during the build-up to war to avoid saying whether it would continue to provide services for the US if war started. When the war began, the Government confirmed that it would not be withdrawing the services.
A US embassy spokeswoman said yesterday that she was not able to comment on the case. A Department of Transport spokeswoman said it had had no communication on the matter.
