Kaspar Aiden Cantwell Strattra, Emily Cathcart and Conan Kavanagh Charged with Criminal Damage After Spray-Painting US Military Aircraft at Shannon Airport

The charging of three Irish pro-Palestinian activists following a dramatic security breach at Shannon Airport has drawn significant national attention, highlighting longstanding debates about Ireland’s policy of military neutrality and the continued use of the airport by the United States military. According to information presented before a special sitting of Ennis District Court, the early-morning incident involved a modified van, a high-security airside entry point, rapid intervention by Gardaí and Defence Forces personnel, and the spray-painting of a US Navy Reserve aircraft.

The allegations, as outlined in court, portray an operation that was planned, coordinated and focused on drawing attention to US military activity in Ireland through a high-profile act of criminal damage. The aircraft at the centre of the incident was a Boeing 737-700 operated by the US Navy Reserve and parked overnight on the main apron at Shannon Airport, which has for years served as a refuelling location for American military traffic.

The three individuals charged—Kaspar Aiden Cantwell Strattra, Emily Cathcart and Conan Kavanagh, all aged 23—were brought before Judge Marie Keane and now face multiple charges, including criminal damage to the aircraft, damage to an airside vehicle barrier and trespass on restricted areas of the runway and taxiway. The details described during the 75-minute bail hearing provide a clearer picture of how the breach unfolded and the extent of the security response required to halt it.

Security Breach and Alleged Planned Incursion

Detective Garda Colm Moriarty outlined the state’s case in court, describing an incident that began shortly after 9.30am on Saturday when a Ford Transit van allegedly forced its way through an airside barrier at speed. According to Moriarty, the van continued down the runway before reaching the vicinity of “taxi 11”, where the US aircraft had been stationed overnight. Gardaí, Defence Forces personnel and Shannon Airport police had already been deployed to protect the plane, reflecting heightened security procedures connected to the presence of US military aircraft on Irish soil.

The court heard that the van used in the incursion had undergone deliberate modifications. Investigators alleged that those inside had installed chains, barriers and reinforcements on the doors and windows, making access difficult for Gardaí and Defence Forces personnel responding to the scene. Two of the suspects were positioned in the rear compartment of the vehicle, and a hole had been cut into the roof, which later became the primary exit point for the spray-painting of the aircraft. This level of alteration, Moriarty testified, suggested extensive preparation.

Shannon Airport police were first to pursue the vehicle as it breached the restricted zone, but it was only after the van was stopped beside the parked aircraft that the full scale of the confrontation emerged. Gardaí called for assistance from the Defence Forces, whose personnel were stationed at Shannon Airport specifically due to the presence of the American aircraft. The Defence Forces responded quickly and, according to the evidence presented, briefly drew their weapons until the situation became controlled.

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As Gardaí and soldiers attempted to gain access to the fortified van, two individuals reportedly emerged through the roof opening and used a modified fire extinguisher to spray green paint onto the exterior of the US aircraft. This action, which forms the basis of the criminal damage charge, was the culmination of the alleged premeditated plan. The use of green paint appeared to be symbolic, a colour frequently associated with environmental and activist demonstrations, though the specific meaning in this instance was not addressed in court.

Response by Gardaí, Defence Forces and Airport Authorities

The presence of Defence Forces personnel at Shannon Airport during the incident underscored the seriousness with which security agencies viewed the arrival and protection of the visiting US Navy Reserve aircraft. Shannon has long served as a transit point for the US military, and this role has been the subject of ongoing public debate, particularly in relation to Ireland’s long-standing commitment to military neutrality.

In this context, the alleged targeting of the aircraft by activists aligned with pro-Palestinian causes emerged as part of a broader pattern of civil disobedience actions aimed at drawing attention to Ireland’s relationship with US military operations. During the attempt to apprehend the suspects, Gardaí reported significant difficulty accessing the interior of the van.

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The court was told that Shannon Airport fire brigade personnel were called to assist, bringing equipment capable of breaking through the reinforced barriers the activists had constructed. The extraction process required sustained effort, reflecting the extent of the obstacles placed inside the vehicle to delay or prevent law-enforcement intervention.

Tools were later seized from the van, including spray-paint supplies, a lump hammer, a battery console and heavy-duty chains. These items, according to Moriarty, supported the contention that the incident had been planned in advance rather than executed spontaneously. The modifications to the van, the cutting of the roof, and the presence of equipment enabling the spraying of paint from an elevated position all contributed to the state’s allegation that the operation had been deliberately orchestrated to gain maximum visibility.

During the charging and cautioning process at Ennis Garda station, Kaspar Aiden Cantwell Strattra provided a statement linking the action to opposition against the use of Shannon Airport by the US military, asserting that such operations violated Irish neutrality and claiming the United States was “a belligerent power complicit in the genocide of Palestinians.” While political or moral motivations do not negate criminal liability, they form part of the broader context in which the incident occurred and reflect the long-running tensions surrounding US military activity at the airport.

Court Proceedings and Anticipated Legal Developments

Judge Marie Keane remanded all three accused in custody, though each was granted consent to bail, pending a further appearance scheduled via video link before Ennis District Court. The charges they face are significant: criminal damage to a foreign military aircraft, destruction of airport security infrastructure and trespass on highly restricted operational zones within an international airport.

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The court did not suggest that any weapons had been carried by the activists, but the presence of Defence Forces personnel who deemed it necessary to momentarily draw their weapons indicated the rapidly escalating nature of the situation. The case raises considerations not only about the severity of the alleged offences but also about the implications for Shannon Airport security procedures, Defence Forces protocols and ongoing debates within Ireland about neutrality and international military cooperation.

Shannon Airport’s role in facilitating US military movements has, for many years, been the focus of protests, legal challenges and advocacy campaigns. While the majority of such protests have been peaceful, incidents involving breaches of airside security have occurred before, making this latest episode part of a broader historical pattern of civil resistance activities at the airport.

The alleged use of a reinforced vehicle and the risks associated with entering a live runway or taxiway also point to substantial safety concerns. Airports maintain strict control over airside access to prevent accidental or intentional incursions that could endanger aircraft, personnel and operations. In this instance, although no injuries were reported and no aviation operations were disrupted, the rapid deployment of Gardaí, Defence Forces troops and airport authorities illustrated the seriousness with which such incidents are treated.

As the legal process moves forward, additional evidence, technical analysis and forensic assessments of the van and tools may be presented. The defence teams for the three accused may argue political motivation, civil disobedience principles or proportionality of charges, though these will be matters for the court to assess within the framework of criminal law. For now, the case stands as one of the more dramatic recent examples of direct-action protest linked to Ireland’s role in international military logistics, and it underscores the complex intersection of activism, national security and airport operations that continues to shape public debate.

The next hearing, scheduled for November 25, is expected to address bail conditions, procedural matters and potential timelines for future proceedings. The incident has already contributed to renewed national discussion about the extent of security arrangements at Shannon Airport and the ongoing presence of US military aircraft, an issue that has periodically resurfaced in political and public arenas. The legal process will continue to unfold as the state advances its case and the defendants prepare their responses in what is likely to remain a closely watched matter.