What was a US military aircraft doing in Baldonnel?

Labour Party Local Area Representative for Clondalkin-Rathcoole, Chris O’Dwyer, has urged Minister for Defence Simon Coveney to provide details of why a US military aircraft was spotted in the Casement Baldonald Airport.

O’Dwyer says he received a number of calls from ‘concerned residents.’

“It is not clear why the US aircraft stopped in Baldonald, its purpose is unknown and residents want to why it was there. Was there an agreement made between the Department, the Defence Forces and US authorities?

“I have spoken to our Defense spokesperson, Senator Mark Wall and a question will be posed to the Minister of Defense regarding this.

“As far as I can recall Shannon Airport is the only designated place for the US military to stop in Ireland, without prior arrangement.

“This is an action I deeply disagree with on humanitarian grounds and if this is the start of a new agreement then I along with members of the local communities in the area will be protesting the US military presence in the area.

“I am hopeful that the Minister will provide a response to the question and that it will not cause further anxiety for residents in the area.”