Garda security team to be removed from Shannon Airport
Forty Gardaí posted at Shannon Airport to protect it from the threat of anti-war activists are to be removed in the coming weeks.
However, 10 permanent members of the force are to be stationed at Shannon Garda Station to continue the security operation with the army.
The 40 Gardai were stationed at the airport last September following statements from a group of protestors who vowed to close down the airport in protest at the continued presence of US military personnel.
Five members of the same group, known as Pitstop Ploughshares, were acquitted in July of last year of criminally damaging a US place at Shannon in 2003.
They demanded that the Government completely demilitarise the airport by the end of October 2006 or they would do so themselves through non-violent means, including by entering the runway.
It has now been decided to remove the 40 temporary Gardai deployed after the threat to patrol and protect the facility along with the army and airport police
They will be replaced in mid-February by 10 permanent members of the force who will be stationed at Shannon Garda Station and will continue the duties of the existing security team.
The army will also remain at the airport.
