The estimated cost of damage to a US navy jet in an alleged attack by five anti-war activists at Shannon airport last February is now set at €2.5 million, a district court was told yesterday.
Solicitor for the five, Mr Joe Noonan, told Ennis District Court today that given the gravity of the charge, he would be seeking Senior Counsel along with Junior Counsel representation for his clients for their trial next month at Ennis Circuit Court.
He said: "Though not in the Book of Evidence, I am told by the State Solicitor that evidence will be adduced that the estimated cost of damage is now set at €2.5 million."
He remarked: "The estimated costs of damage to the plane has been going up and down like a yo-yo."
Yesterday, the Book of Evidence was served on the five: seminarian, Mr Damien Moran (22), freelance editor, Ms Deirdre Clancy (32) US citizen, Ms Nuin Dunlop (31) Mr Ciaran O'Reilly (42) and Scottish woman Ms Karen Fallon (30) who are all charged with the criminal damage of a US navy jet on the of February 4th last at Shannon airport.
Along with the five members of the Catholic Worker movement, a sixth anti-war activist, Ms Mary Kelly (50) also appeared at Ennis District Court today where she was also returned for trial to Ennis Circuit Court on the of June 24th next after the Book of Evidence was served on her.
Ms Kelly is charged with the criminal damage of the same plane on the January 29th, five days prior to the alleged attack by the five Catholic Worker members.
Though no figure of the estimated cost of damage was mentioned in court in relation to Ms Kelly's alleged attack on the same US navy jet, it is understood that the estimated cost is now around €1.5 million - the most recent estimate in court was according to Gardai "in excess of €100,000".
In spite of the estiamted costs of damage, the DPP had directed that the cases against the six could be disposed of in the District Court, however, Judge Joseph Mangan declined jurisdiction.
In court today, Judge Mangan refused Mr Noonan's request for Senior Counsel representation for his clients, agreeing to his legal aid application for junior counsel only.
Mr Noonan also made applications to have his six clients' bail conditions relaxed.
Currently the five members of the Catholic Worker movement have to sign on each day at designated Garda stations, while Ms Kelly has to sign on three times a week at Skibbereen Garda Station.
However, Judge Mangan refused the application. Currently all six remain banned from Co Clare but will return for their trial date at Ennis Circuit Court on the June 24th next.