Campaigners protest over military planes at Galway air show
Protesters blasted the use of US and British military warplanes at a massive air show in Galway today.
Rory Hearne, from the Irish Anti-War Movement, said it was not appropriate as the military craft were belonging to the US army and the British army which have been involved in the Iraq war.
Protesters launched their campaign as around 100,000 people travelled to the Salthill Air Show for the annual event – billed as the largest free air display in Europe.
“The Anti-War Movement is supporting the Galway protest as it is just another example of Ireland’s implicit support for military, like the use of Shannon Airport for craft going to Iraq,” Mr Hearne said.
“It is not appropriate to be using military aircraft in this manner. The US and British military are involved and they are also involved in the war in Iraq.
“We are supposed to be a peaceful country.”
The Royal Air Force aerobatics display team, the Red Arrows, were expected to be the highlight at the show.
High speed aerial displays by US and Irish airforce jets will also attract droves of people.
The Irish Army Parachute Team, the Black Knights, had also prepared to wow the crowds in the West of Ireland show.
The Irish Air Corps also had several planes on the show’s bill to display.
The US army had confirmed they would be displaying a Sikorsky UH 60-Blackhawk, and the Royal Navy said they would be showing a Westland Sea Mk4 (Cmmando).
The protesting group Galway Alliance Against War last week released doves in a symbolic protest against the presence of the military planes at the show.
A spokesman for the alliance, which is calling for a boycott and protesting at the event kicking off at 3pm, said campaigners believed the inclusion of the warplanes glorified and sanitised war.
A spokesman for the Salthill Air Show said organisers were not in favour of war but military aircraft also played protective roles.
The show spokesman said that all the aircraft were not involved in any military activity.
The show said the planes were only for display and participated in around 500 shows around Europe each year.
