Nine anti-war activists have appeared at Shannon District Court facing charges relating to a mass trespass incident at Shannon airport last October.
The charges arise from an alleged breach of airport security during an anti-war rally on October 12th, 2002.
The took place as the estimated 250 to 300 protesters at the rally were making their way from the airport by foot after the demonstration ended outside the airport's terminal building.
During the alleged breach incident, an estimated 50 to 60 protesters of the 300 present broke through the perimeter fence. A number of protesters were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to the perimeter fence, while the remainder were arrested under the Air Navigation and Transport Act after their incursion on to the airfield.
At Shannon District Court today, nine men, five from Cork, two from Dublin and one from Co Sligo and from Co Clare appeared in relation to charges arising from the alleged trespass.
Mr Paul McAndrew of St Joseph Place, Blackrock Rd, Cork, Mr Kieran Hegarty, Westside, East Togher, Cork, Mr James McBarron, St Finbarr's Street, Cork, Mr Jarlath McGrath, Charlemount Terrace, Wellington Rd, Cork and Dr Fintan Lane of Millers Court, Driman St, Cork - who is also chairman of the Cork Anti-War Campaign - appeared relating to summons under the Air Transport and Navigation Act
Others facing the same alleged offence include Mr Anthony Quinn, Gardiner Place, Dublin, Mr Robert Forde, Jones Rd, Dublin 3, Mr Leon Butler, Market House, Market Yard, Sligo and Mr Robert Morgan of Clonmerrin, Mountshannon, Co Clare.
After hearing that the majority of the defendants would be pleading not guilty, Insp Tom Kennedy applied for an adjournment.Judge Joseph Mangan adjourned all of the cases for a special sitting of Tulla District Court on April 30th.
Last month, Mr Eoin Dubsky, from Gorey, Co Wexford, was fined €1,000 and given a six-month suspended jail sentence for painting anti-war slogans on a US airforce transport plane at the airport in September.