Falsely linking Shannon Airport to Gaza could do it ‘damage’, Taoiseach says

By Rebecca Black, Press Association in Philadelphia

Micheál Martin has said statements linking Shannon Airport with Israel’s military offensive in Gaza could “damage” the Co Clare airport.

The Taoiseach said Shannon Airport was not being used to bomb Gaza, adding there had been “repeated attempts to conflate Shannon with the war in Gaza, which was absolutely false”.

He said there was also no evidence that Irish airspace was being used to transport munitions to be used against Iran.

“This is a continuing narrative from certain quarters politically within Ireland, which I think will damage Shannon if that kind of argument continues,” he said, speaking in Philadelphia during his St Patrick’s Day visit to the United States.

There are no military bases in Ireland. We have to be clear about that

“But again, we haven’t had any strong evidence that our airspace has been used for any attacks on Iran.”

He said there had to be a “degree of realism” on the issue and said if a flight was going to Germany, would that be deemed “a problem”.

“There’s international law governing airspace, and we have arrangements made in terms of the rules, and the framework by which you can fly through Irish airspace.

“Now, the capacity to investigate that or to intervene if there’s transgression is challenging and problematic, I think everyone would accept that.”

Speaking in Irish, he said that US soldiers were seen at Shannon Airport as “chartered” flights stopped off after missions, but said there was “nothing wrong” with this and “no harm” to it.

He said there are “no munitions” on board and this did not amount to Shannon Airport being used as a military airbase.

“There are no military bases in Ireland. We have to be clear about that,” he said.