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Benefit Gig: Anti-War Activists Awaiting Trial in Dublin for disarming US warplane at Shannon
'Give Peace A Dance'
Thursday 15th September 8pm
Lower Deck Pub Portobello
Performers:
Prison Love (Bluegrass)
Whirligig(Trad. Irish Band)
Joe Black (Traditional Irish Solo)
Paul O'Toole & Band (Protest Music )
Ruairi McCauliffe (Solo Artist)
Entrance: €5 or Donation
More Information:
Contact Damien at 087 9638398
Proceeds will go to the Pitstop Ploughshares Defence Fund
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Background Info. on Pitstop Ploughshares Action at Shannn in Feb. 2003 and their mistrial in Dublin's Four Courts in March of this year
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The trial of five Catholic Worker peace activists collapsed today at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court as Judge Frank O'Donnell discharged the jury. The five accused Deirdre Clancy, Nuin Dunlop, Karen Fallon, Ciaron O'Reilly, and Damien Moran were been charged with causing criminal damage to a US Navy Warplane at Shannon Airport on February 3rd 2003.
The defendants argued they were attempting to protect lives and property and to uphold the law by nonviolently resisting Irish participation ion the Iraq war.
Their trial began on Monday last March 7th but ran into difficulties on Friday last when the defence counsel requested the judge to discharge the jury.
Judge Frank O'Donnell said he could not reveal the reason for the move because he had to ensure that the retrial was fair and that justice was seen to be done.
The Director of Public Prosecutions have decided to prosecute these five peace activists again, while continuing to hold them on strict bail conditions.
They have a retrial in Dublin's Four Courts from October 24th '05. The trial is expected to last two weeks.