The Irish government faces criticism for permitting military flights through Shannon Airport, with activists accusing it of complicity in the ongoing violence in Palestine.

Activists from Palestine Action Eire entered the airport runway to inspect an Omni Air Boeing 767-300 CRAF, alleging its involvement in military operations in the Middle East, including Israel and Yemen.

The group referenced investigative reporting by The Ditch, which revealed that flights carrying munitions to Israel have utilized Irish airspace since late 2023.

Operations at Shannon Airport were temporarily suspended for one hour due to the incident, resuming at 7:30 PM after intervention by the Gardaí.

A spokesperson for the Shannon Airport Group confirmed that normal operations resumed shortly after the incident, although it caused delays for several flights.

There is ongoing ambiguity among Irish ministers regarding whether certain airlines require permission for their cargo, prompting calls for clearer enforcement of the law.

The Irish police reported that arrests were made under section four of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, following an incident of criminal damage around 6:30 PM.

The detained activists were charged with criminal damage related to their actions at the airport.

Diplomatic clearance has been occasionally granted for unarmed US military aircraft to land at Shannon for non-combat purposes, but only under strict conditions.

Simon Harris, Ireland’s Deputy Premier, emphasized that it is illegal for civil aircraft to transport munitions of war in Irish airspace without explicit exemptions, which have not been granted for flights to Israel since 2023.

Since October 2023, only a limited number of diplomatic clearances have been issued for unarmed US military aircraft landing at Shannon for non-military purposes.