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LAST UPDATE | 22 Mar
HEATHROW AIRPORT IS “open and fully operational”, a day after the airport was forced to close after a loss of power caused by a fire at a nearby substation.
Flights resumed at the west London airport yesterday evening and restrictions on overnight flights were temporarily lifted following hours of closure.
The fire at an electrical substation that supplies electricity to Europe’s largest airport led to the cancellation of more than 1,300 flights and impacted thousands of homes.
The Metropolitan Police are not treating the incident as suspicious and the London Fire Brigade’s investigation is focusing on the electrical distribution equipment.
Heathrow also said it has added flights to today;s schedule to facilitate an extra 10,000 passengers travelling through the airport.
Flights have resumed at Heathrow following yesterday’s power outage. If you’re due to travel today, we advise you to still contact your airline for your latest flight information before heading to the airport. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/bBUCx1mAMt
— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) March 22, 2025
In a statement on social media, Heathrow advised any passengers due to travel today to contact their airline for flight information before heading to the airport.
“We apologise for the disruption and appreciate your patience whilst operations return to normal.”
A further statement from Heathrow said the airport was “open and fully operational”.
“Teams across the airport continue to do everything they can to support passengers impacted by yesterday’s outage at an off-airport power substation,” a spokesperson said.
“We have hundreds of additional colleagues on hand in our terminals and we have added flights to today’s schedule to facilitate an extra 10,000 passengers travelling through the airport.
“Passengers travelling today should check with their airline for the latest information regarding their flight.”
The airport later added that all terminals and all car parks are open.
Firefighters and workers were still at the electricity substation this morning. The UK’s National Grid said power supplies have been restored to all customers connected to its North Hyde substation, including Heathrow.
“We are now implementing measures to help further improve the resilience levels of our network,” it said. “We are deeply sorry for the disruption caused and are continuing to work closely with the Government, Heathrow and the police to understand the cause of the incident.”
Flights between Dublin Airport and London Heathrow have resumed today (Saturday).
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) March 22, 2025
30 of the 32 flights scheduled between the two airports for today are expected to operate. As of 08.30, British Airways has cancelled 1 inbound (13.05) and 1 outbound (12 noon) service.
As… pic.twitter.com/AoYuXzsHge
Aer Lingus has said it is planning to operate its normal schedule to and from Heathrow today, with departures on Dublin Airport’s website showing flights to the UK airport are on schedule.
According to flight tracking website FlightRadar24, British Airways (BA) flight BA56 from Johannesburg, South Africa was the first regular passenger flight to land at Heathrow since Thursday evening, touching down at 4.37am.
BA, which has a major presence at Heathrow, said it expects to operate around 85% of its scheduled flights at the airport today.
The UK’s Department of Transport said restrictions on overnight flights were temporarily lifted to help ease congestion.
According to Heathrow’s website, there is no formal ban on night flights but since the 1960s, the Government has placed restrictions on them.
There is an annual limit of 5,800 night-time take-offs and landings between the hours of 11.30pm and 6am as well as a nightly limit, which caps the amount of noise the airport can make at night.
Last night, Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye told reporters: “We expect to be back in full operation (tomorrow), so 100% operation as a normal day.
He said passengers “should come to the airport as they normally would. There’s no reason to come earlier.”
He also apologised to stranded passengers and defended the airport’s response to the situation, saying the incident is as “as big as it gets for our airport” and that “we cannot guard ourselves 100%”.
Counter-terrorism officers from London’s Metropolitan Police have been leading the investigation into the cause of the fire, which did not result in any casualties at the scene.
“After initial assessment, we are not treating this incident as suspicious, although inquiries do remain ongoing,” Commander Simon Messinger said.
Thousands of homes were left without power and more than 100 people were evacuated after a transformer within the substation caught fire.
Heathrow is Europe’s largest airport, with more than 83.9 million passengers travelling through its terminals in 2024.
This is believed to be the worst disruption at Heathrow since December 2010, when thousands of Christmas getaway passengers camped in the terminals because of widespread cancellations caused by snow.
In April of that year, air travel was grounded across Europe because of an ash cloud caused by an Icelandic volcanic eruption.
On Friday, other airports accepted diverted flights originally destined for Heathrow, including Shannon Airport in Co Clare.
With reporting from Press Association
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Lock up The board of The c r c The people of Ireland Would be much happier if all these guys who Are Robbing charities were sent to prison.
Great Country …protest with your conscience and you will be jailed….Poor woman who never put a foot wrong in her life is in jail at nearly 80 years of age and you look at all the corruption that is and has gone on this country and nobody is paying the price for that behavior….Truly remarkable
and still 8 years on the bankers are walking free. What a farce….
Eh she did put a foot wrong. Two in fact. Standing on the runway blocking flights from landing. She had every chance, was offered the chance to sign a statement that would have avoided her being jailed and she didn’t. The fact that she has cancer, sad as that is, is not a means to avoid the law or the consequences of breaking it.
Finbar. I have never put a foot wrong either. If i block the runway in an airport and put lives at risk should i not be held accountable either because the perpetrators of some other unrelated crime have not been locked up?
“was offered the chance to sign a statement that would have avoided her being jailed and she didn’t”
Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.
- Alexander Hamilton
Put lives at risk? Did the plane have to execute a climb to avoid her or was it diverted some where else flying on fuel fumes? Don’t exaggerate with the lives at risk claim.
Absolutely correct Ronan!
Surely not to jail her because she is 79 would be ageist?
You odious do gooder… pillar of society. You and your family are probably rotten with illegalities and corruption
Can the security at Shannon not keep a 79 year old woman of the runway?
Them granny scooters can be deceptively quick
I salute you Margaretta D’Arcy. If there was more of your kind, this country would not be the pitiful lickspittle of the powerful corporate, political and military elites that it is now.
Let me get this right Coddler. Anyone who disagrees with the policies of the elected government of this country in your opinion can wander around airport runways and endanger lives? Is that correct?
Seems like Coddler is angry at the Man.
William,
The policy of the elected government of this country is that Ireland is neutral and so should prohibit the landing of military aircraft at Shannon.
So in effect, this woman has been jailed for attempting to enforce the democratically chosen policy of the nation or more accurately for refusing not to undertake to do so again.
When did we ever vote on neutrality? It’s not enshrined in law or the constitution and it’s never been much of an issue at election time, so it’s not possible for anyone to say that it’s the ‘democratic chosen policy of the people’.
Coddler: The policy of neutrality and it’s implications and intreprationns are infinitely debatable not some kind of black & white issue like you make out.
The point is that American war planes are NOT permitted to use Irish airspace or airports and yet do whenever they like with successive spineless governments doing and saying nothing to big bully boy America. She us standing up for Irish policy more than any coward TD ever has.
Do you know how big Shannon airports perimiter fence is?? Its over six miles.So I suppose you expect the rent a cops to be driving around it every five mins to keep some demented crusty senior citizen out of the place??While engaging in all the other duties of airport policing too?? All on a staff of appx 60 people??
Cop on!
Sorry Vicky they ARE permitted to use this airspace and facilities,and until the Govt rescinds that policy, [about as likely as the sun rising in the west tomrrow]there is nothing you can do about it,apart from maybe reading up and learning about neutrality and international laws and definitions of it and the actual transit of combat aircraft and transport.
She was given a get out if jail free card by way of the good behaviour bond and she refused it.
But it takes away her right to protest that’s why she refused it
She was right too. Why should she give up her Principles for them.
If a Court ordered you to throw your children out on the street, would you do it just to uphold the law?
Maybe I don’t have all the facts but @”Foxys” and Margaret – There’s no mention of taking away her right to protest, they just required her to stay off “unauthorized areas of Shannon Airport” – ie runways etc. You can’t just be a nuisance and break the law and expect to get off cause you’re old, or a woman, or have cancer. It’s the same rules for everyone.
@Margaret – slightly extreme example don’t you think, can’t remember hearing of any court telling anyone to throw out their children, not really a comparable hypothetical.
Everyone has the right to a peaceful protest but how peaceful is it if one puts lives (her own and countless others) at risk??!!
Yes Laura, say that to the 1916 volunteers!
Ya Michael, sorry I forgot the US are trying to invade us. What?!?
I’m trying to make a point. Everyone has or will break at least one law in their lifetime. This has been scientifically proved as none of us are perfect. You only have to google to confirm. People here are forever preaching that we must follow the law to a T, when nobody can do that.
Margaret; Your point is slightly irrelevant in that she has broken the law, multiple times, is being given a chance to redeem herself, but she’s point-blank refusing to even TRY to uphold the law!
Lara, unlike the US administration under both Bush and Obama that sent US troops to rape and kill innocent Afghanis and Iraqis, Margaretta hasn’t murdered anyone. It’s they who should be on trial, not someone who dared to stand up to them.
Just to say that her right to protest wasn’t threatened, and rightly so: what she was asked to agree to was not to trespass, and just at Shannon Airport. She’s still free to have a legitimate protest at anything else, anywhere in the country, except the runway at Shannon airport.
The Usa Army have broken Irish law many many times through Shannon as highlighted in international reports of Guantanamo rendition flights, uncharged hostages tortured being brought through the gates, Is it one law for American citizens and another for Irish on Irish soil? Irish citizens have never voted to end it’s neutrality
Silly comment
Go again with that. Please speak English
Lets see if she has that much dedication and goes on hunger strike next. A Diet to keep the US war machine out of Shannon campaign next ?
http://www.shannonwatch.org/cables
The following is a list of Wikileaks cables from the US embassy in Dublin which relate to the CIA and US military use of Shannon.
Click on cable title for a summary and link to the full text. If you want to list all the cables relating to a particular tag, click on the tag.
In the meantime corruption runs rife in the corridors of power in Ireland.. politicians throw public money about like snuff at a wake and corrupt bankers and developers carry on as if the past 6 years were a joke….and they jail an elderly woman???? This country is gone to f*ck and is a club for the so called elite. I ‘d get the f*ck out of here if I was 20 years younger..
This is unbelievable.
The woman persistently breaks the law and has been convicted and sentenced.
She was offered a chance for a suspended sentence but refused.
She needs to take responsibility for her actions and face up to them.
How these type of people think they can break the law and expect not to face any consequences is bizarre.
She obviously doesn’t have concerns for her age, gender or health but will merrily walk out of Limerick on those grounds.
She has stood up! She has refused to sit down and take it! She is not demanding release.
My comment does not state she is demanding release.
I doubt she’ll insist on staying in prison if she can get out on health/age grounds.
Nelson Mandela broke the law
As did the 1916 Easter rising .
Larkin ,Coonlley Pearse
All Fought for the right to protest.
And your point is?
This woman wasn’t fighting for the right to protest? This woman was arrested for being in a prohibited area of an airport. She had and still does have the right to protest. It was never taken away from her?
@ Des Doran – I’m not sure of your point.
Of the four you quote, Connolly and Pearse were executed and Mandela and Larkin were in prison for their actions.
They broke the law and there were consequences.
Comparing this woman to Nelson Mandela? A few days in Limerick prison vs 28 years on Robbin Island (ok thats approx time)? A little perspective wouldnt go astray here
What is unbelievable Ross is that this country still claims that it’s neutral! This is another chapter in the 2003 Iraq war when Bertie and his cronies ran roughshod over the constitution of this country. No foreign military operations should be allowed to use any Irish facilities. Our neutrality is a farce in the Irish way it is possible to be a farce. Either abide by our constitution and enforce our neutrality or get rid of it entirely.
Of course they should be allowed.
We need to cooperate with the USA and the UK and forget this neutrality nonsense
Ross, you betray this fetishistic obsession with the law, one can only conclude that no matter how unjust a law is, people should obey it in your opinion? So people who stood up to the Nazis and refused to cooperate with their extermination of the Jews and other minorites deserved to be imprisoned? Or Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement in general for engaging in civil disobedience? It would seem you condone the unjust imprisonment of Nelson Mandela nevermind how barbaric, undemocratic and morally repugnant the apartheid regime that imprisoned him and hundreds of thousands of others as well as the brutal colonial regime that occupied this country and executed Connolly and Pearse and others who dared to stand up to them? When a law is unjust, people have every right to disobey it. We wouldn’t enjoy the democratic rights we do today if the likes of Connolly, Pearse and Larkin hadn’t dared to defy the unjust laws of their day.
Ross – Would you like to send your son or daughter , to war ?
@ Eddie – yes, if that was what they wanted to do – to serve the country.
Unarmed military use of Shannon started long before 2003. The Russian military were transiting to Cuba and back up until the 1990s.
What part of the constitution did Bertie ride roughshod over?
I mean to fight/invade& kill on behalf of a Country like the USA . ( Ireland is a neutral Country – we don’t fight others wars ! )
You dont read much history do you Eddie??
The Irish have always fought other peoples wars and won them mostly too.Everything from Gallowglass mercenaries in the 15 century to modern day Yugoslavia,Iraq,Afghanistan,and any other hot spot current.By right absolutely nothing to be ashamed of,and with proper leadership Irish men do have the reputation of genuiely being known as “the fightin Irish.” And on behalf of the USA,you will find plenty of Irish names serving in the US armed forces,and also the highest number of holders of the Congressional Medal of Honour for bravery are Irish or of Irish descent.
For God sake – let the poor woman go home!
“The poor woman” was asked to simply sign a piece of paper saying she wouldn’t enter restricted areas of Shannon Airport. She chose not to. What does she expect? I’m all for freedom of speech and right to protest but it’s common sense that parts of certain areas such as airports are off limits for saftey and security reasons.
she broke the law, should we leave everyone out that broke the law?
No what she did was good for humanity! For crying out loud these planes are holding hostage innocent people on rendition flights, on top of military planes re fuelling to drop bombs on innocent civilians! If you think America was justified destroying and invading Afghanistan Iraq and whoever else is next then locking a 79 year old ill woman up is the right thing to do! If you people the civilian populations globally should be have the right to remain free from harm from “team America” then you will side with GAAW and ms. Darcy. Personally wish I had the balls to be as bold as her! Signing that piece of paper would be making her admit she was Wrong to defend human rights.
*believe not people
Well she succeeded in raising the issue of war to us commentators. Well done to her. She chose to go to jail and suffer for our enlightenment – and at that age, with her condition, she’s showing us that anyone can make a stand.
If she stays in jail, good, maybe that’ll make some noise and wake up some sheeple. Right on for protesting.
While our government r€&e and pillage the assets of our Country , with unaccountable payouts to their buddies , they jail an elderly lady whose only “crime” apparently, was to defend the neutrality of our Country against war – something that they should be setting the high standards for, in the first place?
FREE THIS GREAT HERO OF OUR NEUTRALITY – NOW !
Nope keep her in. Stupidity and breaking law put her there. No sympathy. She should have known better. Wasted courts time too. They tried this tact with Rossport 5 (don’t be fooled all the same group) but they all eventually want out and sign.
Eddie, it doesn’t matter how morally justifiable you think her campaign is. There is a right way and a wrong way to agitate for change and putting the lives of air passangers at risk by trespassing on an airport runway is most definitely the wrong way.
Brendan Obama ended rendition flights it was one of the first things he did when getting into office. I prefer to see them bombed in their caves anyway.
what law?
Law is not justice as every true Irish being knows.
Whether you are for or against her, it’s evident she is a woman of integrity and is willing to stand up for her principles.
That’s exactly how I feel qwerty.
yes, and that is why it is important she does her term in jail because anyone can protest and cause trouble if they know there will be no punishment. Forgoing her jail term will only lessen the value of her actions.
Seems to be the way in Ireland. Why’s she singled out?
Civil disobedience perhaps?
As a frequent flier i hope i never see people on a Shannon runway or any other one for that matter while i am a passenger on a plane coming in to land putting hundreds of passengers lives at risk is not only highly irrisponsible but positively dangerous.
@ Paul Rocks ; she’s being singled out simply because the rest of the country are too busy to get involved. it’s beyond sick the amount of apathy and civil obedience in this country today :(
Meanwhile an already convicted criminal gets a suspended sentence for breaking, entering and ransacking somebody’s home. Justice is indeed blind.
She got suspended but refused to sign the bond. In my eyes she should have got longer
Only slaves sign bonds.
slaves and criminals who are offered the chance to stay out of prison
Incarcerating sick old women for telling the truth? What has this country come to? :(
Well, the artistic community in Ireland should now come out and support her. The work she has done for the arts here is inestimable.
What truth Jane??She is in jail for contempt of court and refusing to sign a document and for keeping off a runway where she was putting herself and others lives in danger..Also,if she is that ill with cancer,WTF is she doing with this sort of carry on??Suppose she had collapsed on the protest about whatever…That means you and me and all of us have to pick up the tax bill for getting security out in Shannon,diverting maybe flights,and an ambulance to the scene.
So some senile aul bag can say she is stopping US imperialisms war machine,blah,blah,blah.
@Jane – Sorry what are you talking about, nobody was incarcerated for “telling the truth”. She has every right to protest whatever she wants, she just wouldn’t sign a restraining-order type document agreeing to stay away from unauthorised areas around the airport, places the public are prohibited from entering. If she had signed it she wouldn’t be in jail, one would think her cancer treatment should have come ahead of her ridiculous protesting. Maybe she should just obey the law like the rest of us and she wouldn’t be in jail costing the rest of us money!
You mean obeying the law like our government which allows illegal flights?
And should these planes not be prohibited under our neutrality? Why are American military flights allowed?
Are you people all stupid… Do you not realise how much we rely on America?
Wow let’s have a few crumbs off the tables of war profits! Tastes good?
Ya Brendan, it’s that simple! Tell the hamster to start running a bit faster!
Do you not have contempt for the court corporation?
She was just a straw person in the court’s eyes, not a living human being, so having cancer means nothing.
She had contempt for the court corporation because it was using her as an example to the rest of society, to keep quiet and say nothing about allowing US planes to refuel here and then go on to murder our human brothers and sisters elsewhere for not complying with the oil- dollar regime.
Follow the money.
I don’t have time for a long answer, but IMHO this is a classic case of civil disobedience for the greater good. If she hadn’t done what she did, we wouldn’t still be talking about issues like this.
Not to even mention the scores of white -collar criminals in this country who are walking free.
Jane Obama ended rendition flights upon entering office, inform yourself to avoid looking so foolish.
He’d quite happily send a rendition flight for Snowden Jesco. Don’t be so naive.
Irrelevant Andrew. She broke the law, refused to promise not to do it again. Rightfully in jail, her age or her contribution to the arts should not come into the discussion.
Jane’s’ plain speaking seems quite informed to me….That is what debate is all about.Not changing the subject when you have nothing useful to add to the debate subject itself…..
You mean he ended the secret rendition flights that the US at first said didn’t exist, and what guarantee do we have that the US really ended their rendition and torture by proxy programs? The word of a nation that has lied to us over and over again.
Who’s Jane Obama?
Since there’s no laws on neutrality, there’s nothing to say what’s ‘against’ it.
Freeman nonsense.
Wait a sec Al Qaeda kill 70yesterday in Iraq and when these guys are taken away for interrogation there are bleeding hearts. Unfortunately we do have ignorant people who don’t know there is evil in the world. I’ve no issue with rendition
Thankfully the vast majority think as I do.
People obeying the law and saving money in Ireland…. Abducted by aliens in 2007 by any chance?
Sean, if all they where doing was interrogation and it was totally above board, why is it carried out in black sites in nations with less then prefect human rights records rather then military stockades and prisons?
And by the way what court ever convicted these men of involvement in Al Qaeda?
Because it s a neutral country and can decide if it wishes to let such aircraft land here or not.Funny no one gets upset when the Russians land there and are moving refurbishd attack helicopters back to 3rd world dictatorships in South America.But obviously as they are Leftist dictatorships thats ok.
Yeah,might as well the arts community another taxpayer blood sucking leech organisation of tax empt layabouts,druggies and chancers.
And if she started with that freemen of the land nonsense.She should be remanded indefinatly pending psycharitic evulation
Simon, I wouldn’t wish “psycharitic evulation” on anyone. Not sure what it is, but it sounds painful.
Typical Ireland!
Violent criminals get their sentences suspended while an old lady who suffers with cancer is jailed without getting anything suspended…the justice system stinks and is rotten to the core and so is the government!
No wonder Ireland becomes more and more the laughing stock of the whole world…
Her sentence was suspended. . . Then acctivated when she didnt sign the bond. Her civil liberties were not impeded in anyway she can still protest against the war but like anyone else she must stay away from restricted areas of shannon airport. Only has herself to blame
Are we the laughing stock, based on the criminal justice system like you said… got any examples there? I disagree with that incoherent statement.
Down with the government, back to the barter system, blah blah blah Matthias time to get a new catchphrase.
What don’t you just fcuk off back to Germany.
@JJ Opinion
Examples for the laughing stock?
Well, let´s have a look…important documents vanish from the Finance Department, more than 80M consultant fees for Irish Water, Charity Chairmen filling their own pockets with donations for sick children, utterly corrupt and incompetent politicians for several decades, suspended sentences for career criminals with hundreds of prior convictions, a public transport system with 2 lines that do not connect, a taoiseach that earns more money than the US President, a health system in shambles with waiting lists for seriously ill patients, a self-proclaimed “elite” that runs everything in this country purely based on heritage and not on any form of qualification (Politics, Health, Public Service, RTE etc), people in power that never face any consequences no matter how bad their decisions were, millions for voting machines that will be never used (again no consequences for the people responsible), decades of sexual abuse by clergymen (brushed under the carpet by the Catholic Church AND the government)….etc…and this is only what I came up with spontaneously… is that enough for you or do you want any more examples why this country has become a Banana Republic???
Sorry Matthias, I skimmed through your bulls**t there… I asked you examples of other countries describing us as “a laughing stock” based on the justice system – that’s what you said… I read the papers aswell, giving a list of headlines from the past few years doesn’t support your point.
Voting machines – get over it!
@margeret
Because it would be a shame if a country like Ireland with all its beauty and decent citizens would only be populated by primitive idiots and morons like yourself….it´s actually pea-brained people like you that makes the country a laughing stock too, not only the incompetent and corrupt politicians or the greedy bankers….but unfortunately you are lacking the basic intelligence to understand that…
@JJ Opiniom
Not countries, people and not only based on the Justice system but primarily for the reasons outlined in my previous comment which you so condescendingly describe as BS….but if you really think everything is right and my examples are not scandalous enough for you, I really feel sorry for you…
Before you lechture Ireland on courts and due process. I could give you 6 million reasons German justice let down people.
@Matthias. Typical Ireland you say. Well I say typical German right back at you. Arrogant and sneering. Not a lot to like.
I have three words for you.
Learn to spell.
@Sean – nice!
Matthias is completely right, this country is an absolute joke. It’s only when you live in another country that you see how bad standards really are in this country. Of course the FFers and FGers will defend it to the hilt because they and their families are the ones who do well out of this corrupt nepotism riddled society.
It sickens me as an Irish person abroad trying to defend this country to people who laugh and joke about the non stop drip of corrupt and negligent cases that make international headlines. It’s gotten to the stage where you just cant defend the indefensible anymore. I watched the general election of three years ago unfold from abroad and when I came back I expected a New Era, as FG put it, from the b*llshit that destroyed our country from within since we gained independence. Instead it is more of the same but this crowd aren’t as clever as the last as covering their backs, and come across as just plain stupid and unable to run this country in a competent manner. I honestly don’t think it’s ever going to change because at least half the country are ok with living in a corrupt society, as they know they will benefit at one stage or another from this system.
Matthias bit rich coming from a bloody German or have you forgotten your countries own history?
@margeret
That you don´t understand the difference between “Ireland” and “the Irish” just proofs my point….
There is nothing arrogant about pointing out the obvious flaws and scandals of the political entity “Republic of Ireland”….if you really think that all my before mentioned examples are no big deal I have three words for you:
LEARN TO THINK!
it´s usually more beneficial for yourself and the society as right spelling….btw how many languages do you speak…?
@Jesco
What has my countries history to do with the status quo of the Republic of Ireland, you thick Paddy??
@sean
And I could give you a few examples why people like you are generally referred to as idiots….
You can’t blame Germany as a nation for the holocaust, it was an Austrian dictator with a small dick and charisma
You have the stones to call Ireland a laughing stock yet you come from Germany the land of the Fuhrer and the holocaust, go figure you child murdering kraut.
Thick Paddy? Pea brain? Low intelligence? Just a few of the epithets you have flung at people here today, Matthias.
I have a question. As opposed to what? Really, I think you would be much happier surrounded by your brethren from the Master Race. Then you wouldn’t have to suffer Ireland’s fools, you being obviously a very superior person. I repeat my initial comment. Why don’t you just fcuk off back to the fatherland.
@
It´s inbred thick morons like you that make this country a laughing stock…go screw your sister, you idiot….keep alive the family tradition….
@margeret
It wasn´t me who started the name calling…it was you who told me to feck off…why would I reply nicely to that?
My wife is Irish, my son is half-Irish and I love this country and the majority of the people…thankfully fools like you are still a small minority in Ireland….
Primitive, inbred, idiot, moron, thick, the list gets longer and longer.
You have taken ad hominem to new heights here today. I’m done.
I really think old Matty the kraut made some very good and relevant points in that laundry list of muck ups by the government of late! If funds were misused and abused like that in Germany or pretty much any other European country, the people would be out on the streets voicing their opinions. The Irish have a very laid back attitude (I’m guilty of this too) when it comes to voicing their grievances. Sure we’ll ring up Joe Duffy and chew the ear off him but it’s not enough to make things change. It’s the same story time after time!
When was the last time we heard of a public building project staying within budget, or even close to staying within budget! It’s just the boys at the top filling their boots with taxes of the hard working Joe soaps…
@margeret
Yeah right, but “bloody German”, “Feck off back to Germany” or “child murdering Kraut” are acceptable in your books…you are a hypocrite of the highest order!
Ok. Point taken. .
I apologise to you for telling you to fcuk off back to Germany if you apologise to me for calling me a pea brain. I’m mean, that was harsh!!
Matt I’m an idiot for just pointing out what happened in very very very recent history. My neighbour I’m calling into now actually 94 good health. One leg thanks too an SS shell.
So you refer to documents going missing banks all that lark. This year the first of a line of people are before the courts for the crash. Dominoes falling just takes time. Documents go missing. Sure if there is badness in that let’s guards deal with it not you and your judgemental self without knowing anything.
Was I off topic with reference to nazi Germany?? No you were which led me to a natural come back of pointing out Germanys flaws. The fact when that’s pointed out to you that you refer to me as idiot shows how some are in horrible denial about the sins of their fathers.
Still saying that having dated a German girl most Germans are nice but some are ice cold and I can see how that inclination in a society can lead to the murder of 6 million and the complicity of a nation to ignore what they knew was happening.
Margaret has long standing’ issues’ with immigrants on these boards. Take no notice Matthias.
The old woman, despite her health, is doing something very few do. She’s saying NO to the judge on principle. I applaud that, and before all the ‘she broke the law’ plonkers come a running – sling your hook elsewhere, there’s more principle in her toenail ffs.
Matthias I called you said term AFTER you refered to me as a thick paddy, you lowered to tone to stereotyping i responded.
@Sean
No, I called you an idiot because the Nazi reference was the only point you made…
I am very aware of my countries history, it’s one of the reason I always stand up against racism, homophobia and xenophobia.
Regarding the coldness of some Germans I’m quite sure you will find cold people in every country, blaming the coldness of a minority for the Nazi crimes just doesn’t add up.
I would recommend you read “The Wave” or watch the British movie “It happened here” if you are really interested as to how a mad criminal like Hitler came to power and ordinary citizens became ruthless murderers.
I do t have a problem with immigrants. An island nation needs s fresh infusion of new blood sometimes. I just have a problem with freeloaders. And Ireland makes it very easy for freeloaders.
@margeret
OK, apologies for the “pea brain”
@Jesco
No, you called me a “bloody German” first and I replied with the “thick Paddy”
totally offensive and racist comments , Margaret.
Matthias works for Indeed.com Ireland, feel free to contact them to let them know about his general views of the “thick inbred paddys”… I’m sure they’ll be delighted.
JJ you’re a bit sad now at this point, are you going to tell your mommy too…
After the war still had Germans in East Germany joining secret police who would have perpetrated horrid acts on their own. I absolutely agree it can happen anywhere when you follow the extreme left or extreme right.
Your still way way off topic however. I think you will find that externally Ireland is seen as shining light on how you get yourself out of a bind.
Oh I speak three languages. I do see where your going on that. The irish system never pushed hard for European languages. Mistake which they are correcting but behind the times. I speak Russian and I see that and Chinese as languages we should be learning.
@Sean
I am not saying that everything here is backwards, Ireland is still a wonderful country and the majority of the Irish are honest good people like my wife and her family and the perception of Irish PEOPLE in Western Europe is very positive however when it comes to political entity Republic of Ireland nobody takes the country seriously, it might be different in Russia or China.
Getting yourself out of a bind? Seriously?
Thousands of peoples houses repossesed because they couldnt afford their mortgage anymore, a continuing exodus of the brightest young graduates and qualified workers
60% of the average income goes to the tax man, one way or the other
People on trolleys in hospitals
Unemployment still rocket high compared to other countries even if you take that “Job Bridge” scam into consideration that simply takes people of the books to make the official stats look better
Scandal after scandal about pocket lining from politicians and other big cats of the self-proclaimed elite that has gradually ruined this country over the last decades always without any personal consequences.
Nepotism on a scale that nobody would get away with anywhere else…
It’s still a long long way “getting yourself out of a bind”….
Well now! Lovely to see some reconciliation here! Nothing like a little kindness in strong debates!
@JJ Opium
Whooah, here we go, you found my Facebook page!
That is an amazing achievement for a thick inbred Paddy like yourself….
Asking people to contact my workplace….that is certainly a new low even for a pea-brained moron and stupid idiot like you….What happened? Did your sister not letting you screw her last night? Did you just find out that your parents are siblings?
That your family survived the famine clearly proofs good old Darwin wrong….”Survival of the Inbred” LOL
Now crawl back into that cave you came from and ask your sister nicely for a shag….it might work if she’s not too busy serving the rest of your family, you retar*ed little scrote!
Wow…The usual try and shut up a German arguement” from an Irishman.. Lets not mention how many people mostly Irish,did the PIRA kill??
And BTW go away and try studying the subject of genocide in the 3rd reich before you open your stupid Irish trap on something you clearly know nothing about.
fu#king tree climbers. nothing else to do. annoy ass holes, fair play to the US in keeping with support for Shannon and keeping investment and employment going 24hrs @ the airport, without them the airport would be closed yrs ago but the arse holes wouldn’t give a shit about that.
I’m sure you’d change your view if you witnessed first hand even one innocent civilian being murdered by the Americans in Iraq, out of sight out of mind?
Don’t have to go to Iraq, try Dublin. Young girl shot in a car with her boyfriend, killer rejoicing…
F%&k her out to Guantanamo Bay for a while that will soften her cough…
What does ‘soften her cough’ mean in this instance? Does it mean to make her more compliant with imperialism and collaboration? Shame on the rest of us for protesting there. One question i’d have though is which flights were they? Were they military or civilian?
@Paolo Will you ever go and read the meaning of the terms Imperialism and collaboration properly you absolute dumbass. What you said makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, just sounds like deluded ranting.
Deluded is what the looney left always was
Ain’t you aptly named?
“The tw*t”, more like.
Annoying aul bag.
ha!
Leave her there…she’s been the head of Shannon protests for the past 10 years. Criminal damage and trespassing on to a runway, impeding public access, defying garda requests at Shannon airport protests. Loads of videos on youtube about her. She was the reason for garda overtime and the deployment of over 200 gardai from other stations around Munster. Overtime ran above €2,000,000. All for the sake of American carriers transporting soldiers home to their families and creating jobs for thousands in local areas. She defied the law in every way she could she deserves what she gets. If she did anything like that on a us or uk site she’d be shot or in provision a long time ago
All for the sake of defending Ireland’s neutrality ! This began with Americas “war on terror”. They are not fighting some moral crusade, America was defending it’s interests . 100,000s of lives lost and Ireland was assisting this.
No, I’m afraid your wrong. We gave up our right to neutrality when we joined a single European parliament. I recall writing about this 3/4 year’s ago. If we became European we’d loose our individuality. We’d become a faceless eu member state, Ireland, our heritage, our past, ideals, beliefs are dead and gone. We’re an open borderless Single state now. Governed by Brussels with a few puppets in Dublin for good measure. We threw out our neutrality with the signing of Lisbon, maastricht, and so many other treaties we signed blindly. All because we were sheep hearded by people who knew only to line their own pockets and for a pat on the head like faithful dogs by their European masters. ATA flew troop transports into snn for almost 10 years up to 2004. 5 flights a night. A plane gets vandalised, Darcy and her bleeding heart brigade swamp the airport terminal in a lie down protest lasting 2 days. A week later ATA announce they are pulling out of Shannon an moving their operation to Leipzig. 300 jobs direct and indirect gone over night. I worked there I saw them soldiers some looked like they barely started shaving..half of them kids, medics, cooks, engineers. Making money so they could go to college to become doctors ,barristers….
Darcy and her crew blew so much of what happened there out of proportion. Conspiracies of nukes, prisoners chained in cages…..she spent too much time watching con air and smoking weed from her buddies.
Them soldiers looked liked they barley started shaving? Tell that to the thousands of civilians, men women and little children murdered by them in Iraq., but hey, 300 jobs right?….
I have never voted to surrender our neutrality , Maurice ?
@ Connor.
What would your choice be connor?. Put food on the table or join the hippy brigade, light up a hash pipe and sit around a fire with anti war protesters singing “come by yaa.”
A us military plane landing in Shannon gets 1/5 of the nation blowing smoke up the others skirt. Are they the only nation ever to go to war? Since time began humans have been obsessed with the destruction of neighbouring lands. Falklands, 2 world wars, Germany’s rule for supremacy. What’s changed? War and conquering has been part of civilistations since time began. We use technology which is a byproduct of war daily, I don’t see anyone protesting to google or Garmin about using GPS. You want an end to war? Who doesnt. But let’s be sure about this; it will take humanity another 300 year’s to evolve and realize the existence they’ve lived has achieved nothing only a marred history. A pointless waste of human life the same as we witness every day on screens and in papers. Stabbings pointless killings. What’s the difference 5,000 miles away or at home. Same agenda. same thing, killing 1 is the same as killing 1000. We’ve been doing it since time began. Look on youtube for chaplains speech, entitled ‘the greatest speech ever made’ you want to change the world…have everyone on the planet watch that together then maybe we won’t have military planes and stoned hippies like Darcy taking away our jobs.
@ Eddie
Me and you both Eddie…the nation is starting to wake up when its a bit too late.
Declaration of independence lies in tatters. 800 years of fighting for our freedom and we’ve thrown it all away…..
See…more wars.
Ireland lost it’s neutrality and this woman highlighted that fact. Higgins should intervene right away jail is no place for a 79 year old
Ireland has always only ever been neutral in name and US military have been using Shannon since the yr dot.
Define “neutral in name”
If you are a neutral country,you have to be able to defend your air,land and sea terrortory against a possible aggressor…. Something Ireland never has been able to do ,will do ,or can do with a joke of the Irish defence forces.
Tough call here honestly. Right to protest vs right to have a job and keep country going. What if I decided I hate Diagio because of all the misery alcohol causes. Have I the right to stop deliveries to St James Gate? What about Shell to sea? Costing paxpayers millions and stretching scarce resources.
Diageo is Australian. It’s American jets landing in Shannon and shell is Finnish I think. None care for the Irish people and none offer any long terms benefits.
Diageo is mainly British, Shell is or was Dutch.
Just checked em out there James your right thanks for correction. Same point still stands
Kevin peddling misinformation as per usual.
Thank god for people like Margaretta D’Arcy. A brave and spirited woman.
Yes lets thank god for criminals everywhere Roisin! You sound smart!
Hi JJ your opinions would be more valuable if you were not an anonymous troll.
Would they? How?
Because then the likes of Brendan could start going after the real JJ.
What other reason could he have for caring whether or not you posted anonymously?
No bob because it’s hard to have a conversation when one person can say what they wish however outrageous or untrue. Would we count graffiti on a wall as legitimate converstion? Would you reply? Yet someone anonymous writes on a wall no one writes back! Should be the same on the journal!
Brendan, there are lots of good valid reasons why people comment here pseudonymously.
Some people post while in work. There is also the problem of the nutters who go after people and try to find out things about them (which happened to me when I posted here with my real name).
BobmcBob – another anonymous Troll !
Eddie you sound like someone who is too old to be using the internet. You don’t seem to understand what a troll is….Bob MacBob is actually engaging in a conversation about anonymity with another user….anything but trolling.
Trolling for example would be if I called you ” a pointless waster who doesn’t have a clue about what he is talking about and tries to pathetically gain internet karma by attempting to end the conversation with accusations of trolling”
Of course I would never call you a pointless waster, and I wholeheartedly stand against people using disgusting and insulting language on the internet.
You – another anonymous party – who gives “opinions” without putting your name to them – same thing in my mind !
Have you a problem with older people ? Should we not be allowed to express our views ? At least we do it with our real names – transparently .
Bob , told me previously in a comment, that he feared people reacting to his comments – thus his excuse for his comments under the cover of darkness !
I’m a great believer that all Journals should only allow publication/comments , where the actual author – gives a real name and contact details to the editor ? This course of action will ensure that offensive comments to contributors, will be avoided and arising from this action – trolling may cease .
wow, whats next a bit of water boarding?
Yes or she could be dunked as a witch-
Water boarding was created by Jesuits hundreds of years ago. Nothing new
The support for this women is revolting. She is giving two fingers to the State and using her health and medical condition as weapon.
Nobody gets to break the law without accepting the consequences.
Yes they do – bankers!
Welcome to Ireland bob macbob. Did you just get off the boat?
Yes + the Church + the Charity Bosses etc etc.
Stand at the Four Courts any day + you’ll see hardened criminals, Rapists + worse go into court each day + walk out of there, the same thing, day in, day out. Most of them have over 250 convictions. So you think it’s alright to lock this woman up?
Bob I gave you a green thumb because she did indeed give two fingers to the law and government! In this case it was well deserved. The law is not from some divine incontrovertible source. It’s made by fallible humans. It does not always bode well to obey the law.
Brendan, Ireland is not Nazi Germany or South Africa – it is an established democracy where the rule of law applies. If you choose to break the law, as Ms Darcy clearly has, you must accept the consequences.
I think she’s getting off light for it. If a younger person stormed on to a runway they would get a few years.
Theyre quick to lock up an old woman whilst corrupt bankers and politicians are free to do as they please. But of course the right wing activists will becquick to come on here and agree with her incarcination. People really need to wake up to what ireland is becoming.
I am coming on here quickly to agree with her incarcination, whatever that is
Ruairi – she was an old woman before she decided to break the law. Just because you agree with her point of view doesn’t giver her a licence to continue to break the law.
If she was protesting outside of asylum centres, demanding that they all be sent home, breaking in and disrupting things, would you be as quick to support her?
Wrt to corrupt bankers and politicians, due to the nature of their alleged crimes, it takes a little bit longer to process but if paid attention to the news, you would have noticed number of cases (e.g. former Anglo guys, Lowery) are ongoing.
Bob i didnt say i agree with her views. My point was they could lock her up for taking a stance on something whilst corrupt bankers, developers and politicians walk free. Personally i dont agree with what she done but understand why she done it. Now dont give me any bull about ongoing enquiries. Thats typical ff garbage, ongoing enquiries, relevant department etc etc. I wont believe any of it until they start to lock up the criminals who brought the country to its kness. That includes corrupt politicians and CEO’s of organisations like CRC and those who destroy evidence in the dept of finance. The list goes on. One hell of a twisted country the powers that be have created. Theres no justice
Ruari – people can only be locked up for breaking the law after due process. If you want to skip that then we are into a whole other ball game.
My point was that taking a stance on something just because you believe in it doesn’t make it right to break the law.
Let’s all go knee-cap a banker, it’s the republican way
This is just wrong.
Well done Margereta for making a stand
For something you believe in. I hope others will take some inspiration from your actions , I know I do.
This woman is attempting to play the media to further the campaign of Shannonwatch. A 79 year old cancer sufferer being jailed was always going to make headlines. She had the opportunity to avoid a jail sentence by signing a bond to uphold the law. It’s extremely dangerous and stupid to risk your own safety and that of plane passangers by trespassing on an airport runway to make your point.
Very true. I applaud her for protesting this issue, one which I support, but not in the manner she does it. The headlines drive me mad when I see them try tug on heart strings based on the protesters situation.
The issue itself is marginalised while the media talk about how great this sick old lady is. Poor thing!
Is this a f?ing joke mr shatter poor old lady with concerns in jail while crooked politions bankers and other so called public servants screw the public with political help
Lock up the freak and throw away the key. The likes of this fool cost the country millions in security and policing costs every year. This money is needed else where. And don’t go on about bankers and Crc and others who commit crimes not been jailed, all criminals should be locked up
Millions she supposedly cost, vs ermm… billions the bankers costm No don’t go on about them protest fools at all. Disproportionate responsibility and accountability, anyone?
Mad cracked bitch that one
We are short of people with principles, like this lady who stands up for what she believes in, that’s the problem with this country ……
Seconded……
What complete rubbish. Standing up for principles you believe in doesn’t give you carte blanche to break the law.
What if someone believes that all immigrants should go home – do they have a right to start breaking the law to stand up for their principles?
No because their human rights, protected supposedly by international law would be violated- much like those of Iraqis and afghanis when they were carpet bombed into democracy! Woo freedoms here everybody!
“Carpet Bombed” Honestly . Carpet bombing hasnt been done by anyone since ww2!!
Sounds great and emotive in a rant,but just shows you up as an ignorant gobdaw on the subject.
Utter moron. Now that she has a criminal record she is barred from America for life. I’m delighted.
She is old and reported to have cancer which unfortunately is often terminal. She is in prison for her beliefs and refused to sign her get out of jail card as that would be against her principles. I’m not condoning the methods used but right or wrong I’m sure she really doesn’t give a sh1t that she’ll never get into the country whose military she is trying to remove from Ireland…
Youre an utter moron hyeon. Youre a horrible spiteful little boy. Shes 79 so i doubt if shes worried about being barred from ever going to america but i hope you go because our country would be better off without people who dont know its history yet feel qualified to comment.
A fate worse than death, banned from the States.. who was the moron again,did you say/demonstrate?
Sorry where in the 26 counties is there an American military base or airport??? IOne completely under the control of uS military personel and administration???
They will have no doubt alerted the prison authorities to her arrival.Which serial killer or Hitman are they going to give early release too, So as the cell space will be available for public enemy number one.Will she be allowed access to pens and paper while she is locked up.The risk of her making some really shocking placards should be addressed for the sake of the inmates.Solitary confinement would be an option that the prison administration should consider.They should also consider a mass.
Try getting down off your hysteria horse there Ryleigh – she is going into the woman’s prison.
Hysteria…You struggle with issues I suspect.A foolish comment by you.In character I suppose.
What a masterful reply…
Ryleigh, maybe you should read your post again, slowly – you talk about hitmen and serial killers being released to make room for Ms Darcy – a little hysterical, don’t you think?
You should work on your sense of humour.Your parents obviously had one.
She should have gotten mouldy drunk and driven into a family. That’s slap on the wrist stuff compared with being old and outwitting security guards.
If you’re young enough to commit a crime and have the arrogance not to commit to not doing it again, then you’re young enough for prison. So do people really think: Do what you want love, sure aren’t you 79?”. She might as well shoot someone on that basis and with that warped logic.
583 people were killed in the deadliest accident in avaition history, in Tenerife. Why? Because planes had to be diverted to other airports. Sounds a bit dramatic, but her actions could have caused planes to divert etc. Can someone give a valid answer as to why she doesn’t deserve jail, without the banks, politians crap rhetoric? Seriously just a valid answer?
Imprisoning this woman will have no effect on her at all.At worse she will only be hero to her cause and its followers and encourage them to do similar acts without really thinking through the possible consequences.She should have been fined heavily and bound to the peace.Sad I know but it would prove to be the best option in my opinion.You tame a wild horse on a long rope.She has been handed a pyric victory,and she knows it.In her head she will have won, I feel, and that will just fuel the fire.Is this valid enough for you?
I don’t think that’s a valid answer. Imprisoning this woman will set an example to people that they shouldn’t trespass on airport runways. So why shouldn’t she be imprisoned?
Hopefully she will go on hunger strike,and damage herself further,so dying off quicker.
This women has shown real integrity and belief in what’s morally right. The fact of the matter is she is right. There is no argument about letting Shannon be used by a murder machine just because they spend a little money, why if that’s the case why not let the drug cartels use it?
This is New Ireland jail a 79 year old while the country is awash with flagrant white collar crime from CRC to Irish Water to Anglo but f*ck what the hell roll on the revolution
For gods sake a rapist gets less time to serve in this country.
And twy don’t even have to promise not to rape or kill again ( Larry Murphy)
Filthy crusties….how pointless their endeavours are!
Tresspass on a airport runway get 3 months in prison. Abuse kids, rape women kick someone to death,torture animals get out on bail. The Irish justice system is shambolic and a joke.
Does not say much for security at Shannon airport.Leave her at home.Her age and illness deserves special treatment under the law.
Liam Sheehan
Ever worked in Shannon in security,or ever had anything to do with the place??
Are you a qualified security expert??
Tell us how 60 men and women are to keep a 6 mile long perimiter fence under obs 24/7 for demented grannies trying to get on the runway??
We await your brillaint security report.
Lol brilliant. Throw away the key
Don’t jail the corrupt but jail the anti-war great country Ireland :(
The judge made the right decision, she would not guarantee to uphold the law and her actions endangered the lives of others.
I also think she is a nutter!
You’re calling someone a nutter and you wearing that monstrosity of a tache in public?
Shannon Airport anti-war action for which Margaretta was jailed for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwGiiu0lWz4
have your say