Fianna Fáil TD Mr Billy Kelleher and Progressive Democrat chairman Mr John Minihan could be in contempt of court following comments they made in relation to the alleged damaging of a US Navy plane at Shannon, Green Party leader Mr Trevor Sargent believes.
The comments, reported in today's Irish Independent,refer to the case against peace campaigner Ms Mary Kelly who was jailed this week in connection with the incident. They were part of separate press releases and published on the Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrat's websites.
Ms Kelly (50) with an address at the peace camp outside Shannon, was remanded on bail after a hearing in Kilaloe District Court last Wednesday. But after refusing to sign a bail bond, she was placed in custody for seven days.
The Green Party leader was criticised by Mr Kelleher and Mr Minihan for suggesting that not all acts of vandalism amount to an offence. But Mr Sargent challenged the pair and made similar comments again today.
"This is not the first case internationally where a military plane was damaged. Indeed, property can sometimes be damaged lawfully under Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act 1991, if, for example, the reason is to save innocent life," Mr Sargent said.
Mr Kelleher and Mr Minihan criticised Mr Sargent's comments in today's Irish Independent. But the Green Party leader believes their comments included statements about the case which have yet to be proven.
"The facts of the case have not been made known. Their comments are prejudging the case," Mr Sargent told ireland.com.
"There's a danger of the same contempt that landed a number of newspapers in the courts this week over the joyrider incident in Dublin happening again," he said.
Mr Minihan rejected the criticism saying his remarks were directed at Mr Sargent. "If I have transgressed in any way, however slight, the sub judicerule and the presumption of innocence, I should be glad to apologise to the court.
"But I repeat and stand over my critcism of Mr Sargent's irresponsible comments and that is the real issue hear," Mr Minihan said.
Mr Kelleher was not available for comment.
Mr Sargent, meanwhile, will be among hundreds of people expected to march on Shannon Airport tomorrow as protests against Ireland's role in the US build-up for an attack on Iraq continue.
The five-and-a-half mile walk leaves Bunratty Castle at noon and arrives at Shannon Airport at 2 p.m. where an hour-long seisiún will take place.
The former Assistant Secretary General of the UN, Mr Denis Halliday and the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, will also be in attendance at the event organised by the human rights group afri (action from Ireland).
Mr Halliday today accused the Government of breaking international law by assisting US war preparations, saying the "Irish position is incompatible with UN charter". Mr Halliday is also the former Head of the UN Humanitarian Programme for Iraq but resigned five years' ago over UN sanctions imposed upon the Gulf state.
Mr Joe Murray, co-ordinator of the human rights Afri, said the use of Shannon made a "mockery" of assurances given by the Taoiseach during the Nice Treaty referendum last year over Irish neutrality.
"We are now allowing armed US soldiers, on their way to war, to land and refuel in Shannon. Cargo planes, the content of which nobody seems to know, are also allowed to land," he said.
Meanwhile, Labour Party leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte told the Association of European Journalists in Dublin that European leaders were ignoring the growing hostility throughout Europe to an attack on Iraq.
"Those European leaders who are advocating an imminent war - as well as those, like our own, who want to have an each-way bet - are failing to hear and listen to the voice of their own people," he said.