Shannon Airport must not be used to launch attacks on Iran as part of the United States and Israel’s illegal war, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson.
Senator Stephenson said:
“The Irish government must give a categoric commitment that Shannon Airport will not be used to launch attacks on Iran as part of the United States and Israel’s illegal war.
“In the Dáil today, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns asked Taoiseach Micheál Martin to rule out the use of Shannon Airport by the United States as part of their unprovoked military aggression in Iran. He declined to answer the question.
“Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has taken swift action to ban US military operations in Spanish territory due to what he calls an unjustified and dangerous military intervention by the US in Iran. Spain should be commended for moving so quickly to uphold international law, which is being violated by the US and Israel’s unilateral aggression against Iran.
“The escalating conflict has already caused the deaths of at least 700 civilians, including 168 schoolgirls killed in a strike on an elementary school. Under no circumstances should Ireland be complicit in this horror – we must follow Spain’s lead and ensure Shannon Airport is not being used as part of this illegal war.
“The government must make it clear to Donald Trump’s violent regime that we cannot bomb our way to peace in the Middle East, and we will not support such a campaign. The Taoiseach should now unequivocally condemn the illegal actions of the US and Israel, which he and his Foreign Affairs Minister have failed to do to this point.
“Under no circumstance should Ireland play any part in this illegal military aggression. We have already facilitated America’s deportation of shackled Palestinians through Shannon on a private jet. The Irish government cannot continue to close its eyes to what is happening at our airports.”
March 3rd, 2026