Protests to greet US warship in Dublin port

Peace campaigners have reacted with anger at the arrival of a US warship in Dublin port on a goodwill visit.

The USS La Sallefrom the US Sixth Fleet will be docked at Alexandria Basin until Sunday.

Independent European election candidate Mr Eoin Dubsky claimed the ship, which is carrying weapons capable of firing 3,000 depleted uranium bullets per minute, could be in breach of Irish law.

He has handed a letter into Pearse Street Garda Station asking them to investigate whether the possession of these weapons is an offence under the Radiological Protection Act, 1991.

"It's an outrage that the United States military should be invited to visit Ireland anyway, while tons of depleted uranium and countless unexploded cluster bombs litter Iraq and Afghanistan, causing
untold destruction for years to come," he said.

The Irish Anti-War Movement have called for a protest at the East Link Bridge tonight, claiming the ship's visit is "propaganda" ahead of US President George W. Bush's planned trip to Ireland next month.

IAWM spokesman, Mr Richard Boyd Barrett, condemned the visit, claiming it was further evidence of the Government's continued support of the Bush administration's war in Iraq.

"We are calling on the Government to demand the ship leaves Irish waters as a protest against the horrific revelations about the practice of torture on Iraqi prisoners," he said.