A major review of security at Shannon Airport was underway today after a veteran peace protester smashed a hatchet into the nose of a US military aircraft.
Mary Kelly (50) a mother from Athlone, was arrested after she gained access to the tarmac and attacked the plane.
The breach of security comes after major embarrassment for authorities at Shannon where hundreds of US military aircraft have been landing to re-fuel on the way to the Persian Gulf.
Airport police swooped today after the peace campaigner evaded security shortly before 5am.
"Mary went up to the plane and hit it a fair few whacks on the nose" said Tim Hourican, a member of the Peace Camp, which has been set up outside the airport. He claimed that the aircraft involved was a C40, the military version of a Boeing 747 which is part of the 59th fleet logistic squadron of the US Navy based at Fort Worth in Texas.
Mary Kelly has been described as a globetrotting professional protester. After being shot, arrested and ultimately deported from Israel, she joined the peace camp at Shannon. Ms Kelly was also associated with the Atlantis foundation, the controversial hippie cult that was once based in Burtonport, Co Donegal and known locally as "the Screamers".
Before she went to the Middle East she took part in a protest in Cork during the visit of Henry Kissinger. She has also travelled to Scotland where she joined protesters who were involved in a blockade at the nuclear submarine base at Faslane, and has protested outside Aras an Uachtarin about American bombers using Shannon Airport to mount attacks on Afganistan.
A Garda spokesperson confirmed today that a 50-year old woman had been arrested and was being held at Shannon Garda Station under section four of the Criminal Justice Act.
Meanwhile Transport Minister Seamus Brennan said today that the Irish Government will review its policies which allow US planes to land at Shannon Airport if the United States choose to take unilateral action in Iraq. He warned that the government was monitoring the ongoing situation and was keen to see compliance with UN reolutions.
He was speaking ahead of todays Dail debate in which deputies will debate a motion to withdraw all facilities to US warplanes at the airport.