# Supreme Court allows appeal over trespass at Shannon Airport

Case 3333. Trespass (with intent to commit criminal damage), Co. Clare, 2017-04-25

**TL;DR:** Edward Horgan, 76, of Limerick and Dan Dowling, 40, of Waterford City, were charged with criminal damage and trespass after allegedly writing 'Danger, danger, don't fly' in marker on a US naval aircraft at Shannon Airport on 25 April 2017. A jury at the Circuit Court in Dublin acquitted both men of criminal damage but convicted them of trespass in January 2023, and each was ordered to pay €5,000 to a women's refuge in Co Clare. The Supreme Court allowed Dowling's appeal in November 2026, finding the trespass offence could not be established where the DPP failed to prove the criminal damage was committed without lawful excuse, and directed that there be no retrial.

**Stage:** Acquitted. Reported stages: In court (2022-06-15), Acquitted (2026-11-12)

## People

- Suspect: Edward Horgan, man, 76
- Suspect: Dan Dowling, man, 40

## Key facts

**What happened**

- The two men allegedly wrote 'Danger, danger, don't fly' in marker on a US naval aircraft at Shannon Airport.

**Where**

- The incident took place at Shannon Airport, Co Clare.

**When**

- The incident occurred on 25 April 2017.

**Charges**

- The two men were charged with criminal damage to a US navy aircraft and trespass under section 11 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994.

**In court**

- A jury at the Circuit Court in Dublin acquitted both men of criminal damage but convicted them of trespass in January 2023.
- Dowling's appeal against conviction was rejected by the Court of Appeal.
- The Supreme Court allowed Dowling's appeal in November 2026, finding the trespass offence could not be established where the DPP failed to prove the criminal damage was committed without lawful excuse, and directed no retrial.

**Sentence**

- Both men were ordered to pay €5,000 each to a women's refuge in Co Clare.

**Other details**

- Edward Horgan is 76 and lives in Newtown, Castletroy, Limerick.
- Dan Dowling is 40 and lives in Grace Dieu, Waterford City.
- The men argued lawful excuse, saying the purpose was protection of lives where US aircraft transported weapons via Ireland to the Middle East.
- Both men represented themselves at trial and only Horgan gave evidence.

## Reports (3)

| Date | Outlet | Report |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-06-15 | limerickpost.ie | [Anti-war activists face trial for damaging US plane at Shannon](https://www.limerickpost.ie/2022/06/15/anti-war-activists-face-trial-for-damaging-us-plane-at-shannon/) |
| 2026-04-16 | irishtimes.com | [Peace activist’s trespass at US aircraft in Shannon Airport was to protect lives, court hears](https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2026/04/16/peace-activist-tells-court-trespass-at-us-aircraft-in-shannon-was-to-protect-lives/) |
| 2026-11-12 | limerickleader.ie | [Supreme Court allows appeal over US military plane daubed with anti-war message](https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/crime-courts/supreme-court-allows-appeal-over-us-military-plane-daubed-with-anti-war-message-at-shannon-airport-9346420) |


HTML: https://irelandcrime.com/case/supreme-court-allows-appeal-over-trespass-at-shannon-airport-3333

This page is put together automatically from the reports listed above. A charge is not a conviction. If something here is wrong or out of date, [report it](https://irelandcrime.com/report?case=3333).


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