Madam, - Something is seriously wrong in this country when an anti-war protester can find himself locked up in prison for participating in an entirely peaceful demonstration at Shannon Airport. Fintan Lane, chairperson of the Cork Anti-War Campaign and PRO of the Irish Anti-War Movement, began a 60-day prison sentence last week because of his conscientious refusal to pay a €750 fine imposed in April at Tulla District Court. He was merely one of more than 100 people who participated in a mass trespass at Shannon airport in October 2002, and one of 10 who were arrested and subsequently fined.
His principled stand has now cost him his liberty.
Of course, there is no denying that a crime has been committed: that crime is the integration of an Irish civilian airport into the US war machine. We know now without a shadow of doubt that the invasion of Iraq was launched by the US and Britain under cover of a lie. The Irish Government colluded in that lie and ignored the views of people in this country who overwhelmingly opposed the war.
Fintan Lane should be released without delay, and the money being squandered on his imprisonment spent on an investigation as to why the Irish Government was complicit in the criminal adventure that was the invasion of Iraq. - Yours, etc.,
DOMINIC CARROLL, PRO, Clonakilty Against the War, Clonakilty, Co Cork.