Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 10269Causing closure of an airport (Air Navigation and Transport Act) · Co. Clare · 22 Nov 2025

Three charged over Shannon Airport incident that caused airport closure

On 22 November 2025, a US military aircraft was allegedly spray painted at Shannon Airport in County Clare, and the airport was shut for 30 minutes. Three people, Emily Cathcart (23, a woman), Kaspar Aiden Cantwell Strattra (23) and Conán Kavanagh (23), were each charged with entering the apron area and Taxi 11 and causing the airport's closure, along with criminal damage charges. They were charged and cautioned before Ennis District Court in March 2026, and the DPP directed the case to Ennis Circuit Court on indictment. The three were granted bail after their parents posted independent sureties and were remanded on bail to 6 May 2026 at Ennis District Court to serve a book of evidence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court28 Mar
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A US military aircraft was allegedly spray painted with green paint from a modified fire extinguisher.
Where
The alleged trespass was on the apron area and Taxi 11 of Shannon Airport in County Clare.
When
The incident took place on Saturday, 22 November 2025, while the charge refers to November 2 last.
Cause
Defence Forces personnel drew their weapons briefly in response to an alleged incursion.
Other details
  • Defence Forces personnel protecting the US military aircraft drew their weapons briefly until the situation was under control.
  • The airport was shut down for 30 minutes and one incoming aircraft was placed in a holding pattern.
  • Emily Cathcart told gardaí after caution that the Government of Ireland had failed to uphold its duty to prevent genocide.
Charges
  • Each of the three is charged with entering the apron area and Taxi 11 of Shannon Airport and causing the closure of the airport.
  • The three are also charged with criminal damage to a Boeing 737-700 belonging to the US Navy Reserve and to a Shannon Airport airside vehicle barrier.
  • The charges are contrary to Section 47 of the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act and replace an earlier trespass charge against each defendant.
In court
  • The three were charged and cautioned before Ennis District Court.
  • The DPP directed that the case go forward to Ennis Circuit Court on indictment.
  • The three were granted bail after their parents posted independent sureties.
  • The three were remanded on bail to 6 May 2026 at Ennis District Court to serve a book of evidence.
22 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA US military aircraft was allegedly spray painted with green paint from a modified fire extinguisher. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe alleged trespass was on the apron area and Taxi 11 of Shannon Airport. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place at Shannon Airport in County Clare. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe charge refers to November 2 last. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on Saturday, 22 November 2025. (clareecho.ie)
  • causeDefence Forces personnel drew their weapons briefly in response to an alleged incursion. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeThe three were each charged with entering the apron area and Taxi 11 of Shannon Airport and causing the closure of the airport. (limerickpost.ie, clareecho.ie)
  • chargeThe three are also charged with criminal damage to a Boeing 737-700 belonging to the US Navy Reserve. (limerickpost.ie, clareecho.ie)
  • chargeThe three are also charged with criminal damage to a Shannon Airport airside vehicle barrier. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeThe charges are contrary to Section 47 of the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeThe new charge against each defendant replaces an earlier trespass charge. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed the case to go forward to Ennis Circuit Court. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe three secured bail after their parents posted independent sureties. (limerickpost.ie, clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe three were further remanded on bail to May 6 at Ennis District Court for the serving of a book of evidence. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe three were charged and cautioned before Ennis District Court. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed that the case go forward to Ennis Circuit Court on indictment. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe three were remanded on bail to 6 May to Ennis District Court to serve a Book of Evidence. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherDefence Forces personnel near the US navy aircraft had their weapons drawn briefly until the situation was under control. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe airport had to be shut down for 30 minutes and one incoming aircraft was placed in a holding pattern. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherMembers of the Defence Forces protecting a US military aircraft drew their weapons briefly. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe airport had to be shut down for 30 minutes. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherEmily Cathcart told gardaí that the Government of Ireland had failed to uphold its duty to prevent genocide. (clareecho.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Mar2026
    In courtclareecho.ie, first report
    US military's use of Shannon is Government failure to uphold genocide - claims activist charged with causing closure of airport - Clare Echo

    Adds the charges, the replacement of an earlier trespass charge, the DPP direction to the Circuit Court, the defendants' statements after caution, the 30-minute airport closure, the bail arrangements and the remand to 6 May 2026.

    accused, Emily Cathcart, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Emily Cathcartaccused, Kaspar Aiden Cantwell Strattra, 23, namedKaspar Aiden Cantwell Strattraaccused, Conán Kavanagh, 23, named, irish (judged from name)Conán Kavanagh
  2. 28 Mar2026
    In courtlimerickpost.ie, follow-up
    Court told Government failing to uphold duty to prevent genocide by allowing US military to use Shannon Airport

    Article is dated 28 March 2026 and reports the charge, caution and bail remand at Ennis District Court. It gives the charge date as November 2 and the incident date as November 22, with bail hearing on November 23; the year is inferred as 2025.

    accused, Emily Cathcart, 23, named, irish (judged from name)Emily Cathcartaccused, Kaspar Aiden Cantwell Strattra, 23, namedKaspar Aiden Cantwell Strattraaccused, Conán Kavanagh, 23, named, irish (judged from name)Conán Kavanagh