Collins Aerospace protestors 'caused thousands of euro of damage'

The garda file in the case against a young woman accused of causing criminal damage at Collins Aerospace in Cork during a protest for Palestine has been completed and sent to the DPP. 

Her case was adjourned at Cork District Court for two months, when it will link with that of a co-accused.

Kellie McConnell, aged 27, of Toner House, Sidmonton Place, Bray, County Wicklow, appeared in Cork District Court charged with committing an offence of burglary contrary to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, at Collins Aerospace, Penrose Wharf, Penrose Quay, Cork, on Monday, October 13, 2025. 

The particulars of the charge state that having entered a building as a trespasser, she committed an arrestable offence, to wit, criminal damage therein.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis applied for an adjournment of the case for two months. 

Solicitor Frank Buttimer said the case against her co-accused had been adjourned until May 18 and that this may be an appropriate date. 

Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned it until that date.

Detective Garda Martin McSweeney outlined the allegations in the case previously, where he said that before 7am on Monday, October 13, 2025, there was a break-in at Collins Aerospace, Penrose Wharf, Penrose Quay.

“It is alleged that the accused entered the third floor of the building using a ladder and caused extensive damage to the property. 

"Various slogans were spray-painted on numerous walls. Monitors and windows were smashed, causing thousands of euro of damage. 

"The fire brigade had to be utilised when the two accused refused to come down from a third-floor ledge. 

"Gardaí had to use negotiators to convince them to remove themselves from the ledge. 

"Both were subsequently taken down with the assistance of a fire brigade hoist, and they were conveyed to Mayfield Garda Station,” Mr McSweeney said.

Collins Aerospace has been targeted by pro-Palestine protesters as its parent company, RTX (formerly Raytheon), supplies defence systems to Israel. RTX has also partnered with Israeli firms to develop weapons systems, which it says are used to “protect the citizens and infrastructure of Israel".