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Irish Government faces $14 million bill for protecting U.S. troops

Donal Thornton,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Monday, January 4, 2010, 7:53 AM

Updated Monday, January 4, 2010, 8:01 AM

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18 Comments

U.S. troops at Shannon Airport

Sinn Fein has slammed the Irish Government for paying over $14 million in security costs to protect U.S. troops passing through Shannon airport.

In an article in the Irish Examiner, Sinn Fein's Caoimhghin O Caolain said that it was a "disgraceful situation," and that the use of Shannon by U.S. troops was "totally opposed by the overwhelming majority of Irish people who do not accept the legitimacy of the war in Afghanistan."

The bill accounts for 3 years of police and army protection at the airport. More than 243,000 US troops have passed through the airport while in transit to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Security was stepped up in 2003 after anti-war protesters severely damaged U.S. aircraft.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said that the security bill was justified. It is estimated that Shannon airport made $10million from troop visits last year.

"The deployment of Garda resources is based on an assessment by the Garda authorities of the measures necessary to ensure the safety and security of personnel, staff, passengers and property at Shannon airport," said Ahern.

However, Sinn Fein and anti-war protesters believe that the use of Shannon airport by U.S. troops undermines the nations neutrality. The Irish government argues that the missions are carried out under a UN mandate.

The Irish Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA) has vehemently opposed troop movements through Shannon airport.

PANA chairman Roger Cole told the Irish Examiner that Ireland had become a "vassal state" of the "American empire."

In an anti-war rant, Cole said that the ordinary American family was the real loser in the War against terrorism.

"While it is the people of Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and Pakistan that have suffered most from the wars of the American empire and its vassal states like Ireland, the ordinary American family is being impoverished by its militarist neo-liberal agenda."

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plasticpaddy | Jan 08, 2010, 02:06 PM EST

Also Maghnus Who am I being walked on by? You still have not, at least lucidly, answered that simple request.

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plasticpaddy | Jan 08, 2010, 02:05 PM EST

Good point adlfloatj23, they could at least pay for the security.

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plasticpaddy | Jan 08, 2010, 02:04 PM EST

I am Irish born and bred, of Irish stock for at the very least over 800 years. Maghnus I criticise people who make ludicrous assertions, such as yours, without any knowledge of Ireland or her people. I am Irish, are you? Have you ever been to the country, the hatred you express for other races and creeds simply is not replicated in Ireland, we do have our fair share of racists such as yourself, but we as a majority are thoroughly disgusted by their foul expressions and vulgar views. Also, I would rather be a "useless no account like you; who likes to be walked on and kicked" than a racist such as yourself, wuite shocking actually that you declare yourself that you would rather be a racist.

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plasticpaddy | Jan 08, 2010, 02:01 PM EST

I am peace loving, you are right. I don't support illegal immigration, I support the opening up of a much more respectful and dignified process and means to legal immigration into Ireland. I am also a war protester yes, because I do not support the killing of any innocent people.

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adfloatj23 | Jan 08, 2010, 09:09 AM EST

And maghnus I do beleive you need serious anger management help.

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adfloatj23 | Jan 08, 2010, 09:06 AM EST

I think Shannon airport needs all the help it can get, where ever it comes from, And if the US gov wants the troops to transit through Shannon, Then they should pay for the extra security, Why not they can afford it, Look at how much they have spent on Iraq, Old saying if you want to dance you got to pay the piper, You want security for your troops while in transit you have to pay for it, And I for one wish the political ass wipes who run the gov would get some balls and tell the US pay up or don`t transit.

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MAGHNUS | Jan 06, 2010, 03:30 PM EST

P.P.S Everything you say from now on is irrelevant!!! You do not speak for Ireland, and don't try taking a hand in speaking for America, either, EVER! You are a Filthy Coward and you Disgust me! Better to be a "hating racist" as you call me, and stand up for what I believe in, rather than be a useless no account like you; who likes to be walked on and kicked. Who are you being walked on, you ask: EVERYONE, INCLUDING ME!

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MAGHNUS | Jan 06, 2010, 03:21 PM EST

P.S. You're probably a peace-loving hippie, too!! Ha ha ha This suddenly explains everything as to why you so solemnly support illegal immigrants in Ireland, do you support it in America as well?! You are a Coward, and most likely a war-protester, too. You have most likely never in your life, ever stood up for anything you've ever believed in....and more than likely, you are either african, indian, or muslim, which ironically would explain your sentiment for those illegal immigrants that I urge Ireland only too strongly to kick out of their country before the country truly crumbles into a wasteland. It's very nearly there already. The Irish, in this dilemma, are so overwhelmed that they don't know what to do, and all you can do is criticize those who would know what to do or have an honest opinion about what should be done...TO SAVE IRELAND!

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MAGHNUS | Jan 06, 2010, 02:53 PM EST

OMG plasticpaddy, you really are a clown! ha ha ha!!! Big Irish talker turns out to be an American citizen hiding under a rock!!!! ha ha ha ha

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plasticpaddy | Jan 06, 2010, 09:27 AM EST

Actually I live i the US. As for being walked on, who am I being walked on by?

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MAGHNUS | Jan 06, 2010, 06:29 AM EST

beachline, i totally agree with you, being Irish American myself...but I beg you to forgive plasticpaddy's ignorance and stupidity. He doesn't understand the real world as we see it. He, being a true Irishman, seeing that he actually lives there, prefers to be walked on, rather than stand up and fight for what he believes in. The only actual fighting that he is doing, as you can see is by trying to belittle people like you and I because we show some concern for the world we live in. He also, if you haven't noticed, has taken it upon himself to speak for the whole of Ireland.

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plasticpaddy | Jan 05, 2010, 04:07 PM EST

beachline you are a complete joke, reading your comments, they are shameful in their ignorance.You need to realise that this is Ireland we are talking about, not Irish-America, so your views about the servicemen are completely out of wack with the reality that they are not OUR servicemen. Kickstars ideas sound much more intelligent to me, at least entertain us if youre going to use our airports. Youre comment about the killings in Ireland being mostly by our own people - have you ever heard of colonialism- are just plain ol' silly.

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kickstar | Jan 05, 2010, 12:52 AM EST

So if it is costing us money to look after them then why don't we put them to work during their stop over, They could sweep up a bit in the duty free area or collect pots from the tables in the bar, Or they could do that thingy where they are blindfolded and take that BAR weapon apart then put it back again before banging of a few rounds that should liven up the departure lounge on an otherwise dull and grey winters day in Shannon.

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beachline | Jan 04, 2010, 03:39 PM EST

P.S. It sounds like PANA chairman Roger Cole is repeating all the things that Al-Queda and Muslim extremeists are saying about the Western world,--the U.S. in particular. Your rhetoric is straight out of the terrorist training text book. Perhaps the Irish government should be watching you and your group because home grown terrorists are the norm today, not the imported variety.

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beachline | Jan 04, 2010, 03:29 PM EST

I am an Irish-American opposed to the wars in Iraq& Afghanistan. But, I am vehementaly opposed to so-called anti war loudmouths begrudging the service men , who are being put in the line of fire , a few hours of safety at Shannon Airport. You have the freedom to spout off at anything that you disagree with because of these brave coalition NATO troops. Put your butts on the front lines and take some gun fire. Perhaps then you will understand the price of freedom. Ireland has had its share of civil war and killings mostly from its own people, so the older folks who survived the troubles and are still mourning the loss of loved ones understand the necessity of fighting for freedom. You young gobshits have had everything handed to you and haven't a clue about what it takes to preserve your "neutrality".

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