No military equipment passing through Shannon Airport to Israel

SHANNON Airport is not being used to transfer military equipment to Israel, according to TD Willie O'Dea.

The Limerick TD released a statement this Tuesday morning that he "has been given assurances that no military equipment is being transferred from the United States to Israel via Shannon Airport".

"For the past couple of weeks I have been receiving a huge number of emails from people concerned about Ireland's position regarding the situation in the Middle East and asking me to stop the Americans sending weapons to Israel via Shannon Airport," Mr O'Dea said.

"Following a meeting recently with the Palestinian ambassador, I arranged to meet the relevant government ministers and officials. I sought clarification on the issue and received government assurance that no military equipment is being transferred from America to Israel via Shannon Airport. It was also confirmed to me that no requests have been made to the Irish government regarding permission for any such transfers."

Storm Debi diverts international flights to Shannon

Mr O'Dea expressed his hope this news would reassure anyone with concerns about the situation and "any possible participation Ireland might have in it".

The Limerick TD was part of a group of Fianna Fail Oireachtas members who met the Palestinian ambassador along with the Egyptian ambassador, where they clarified Ireland's position regarding the situation in the Middle East.

"I am glad now to be able to assure the Palestinian Ambassador that there is no military equipment being transferred via Shannon and that no request has come in for any such authorisation," Mr O'Dea's statement concluded.

Crowds gathering at Shannon to remember the people killed in war, and to demand an end to Shannon Airport's complicity. #USMilitaryOutOfShannon pic.twitter.com/CuuGD5nGt1

— Shannonwatch (@shannonwatch) November 12, 2023

While no military equipment may be travelling through Shannon Airport, it is still a refueling point for trans-Atlantic US military flights. 

According to activist group Shannonwatch, who for many years have protested the use of Shannon Airport by the US military, a US Navy plane from Sigonella air base, Sicily spent two nights at Shannon for refueling before taking off last Sunday and continuing on to a base in Portsmouth, Maine.

Shannonwatch also held a peace vigil at Shannon Airport on Sunday, November 12, where they read out the names of over 5,000 children killed in Gaza since October 7, when the current conflict between Israel and Hamas broke out.