Anti-war activists secure bail on damage charges

The two remaining anti-war activists charged with the criminal damage of a US navy aircraft last month in Shannon have secured…

The two remaining anti-war activists charged with the criminal damage of a US navy aircraft last month in Shannon have secured bail at the third attempt.

All five are now remanded in custody with consent to bail, however four of the five charged with the offence have decided that they will remain in Limerick prison for the foreseeable future.

Mr Ciaron O'Reilly (42) was one of the two to secure bail at Ennis District Court after gardaí confirmed the bona fides of the Dublin address hegave to court at his previous court appearance.

Speaking after the court, Mr O'Reilly said he has been nominated by the others to be the only one to avail of bail. "It was a group decision that I would accept the bail for the purpose of explaining our actions in public because there is no tradition of non-violent resistance in this country."

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Mr O'Reilly said that he would use his time on bail "to call for more non-violent resistance. We are not advocating violence, we do not want to mimic what we are up against."

Mr O'Reilly said that he would continue his work at a homeless shelter in Dublin, which would provide finance for the group of five, all of whom are members of the Catholic Worker Movement.

Judge Joseph Mangan granted Mr O'Reilly bail on condition that he remain outside Co Clare and sign on at Dublin's Pearse Street Garda Station daily.

Mr O'Reilly, along with Mr Damien Moran (22), Ms Nuin Dunlop (31), Ms Deirdre Clancy (32) and Ms Karen Fallon (30) are all charged with the criminal damage without lawful excuse of a US navy aircraft at Shannon on February 3rd contrary to Section Two of the Criminal Damage Act.

Ms Fallon only secured bail after the intervention of Sister Stanislaus Kennedy who is provide accommodation for her and Ms Dunlop, a US citizen.

All five - who must remain outside Co Clare while on bail - were remanded to re-appear before Ennis District Court next Friday, March 7th.