Shannon, Stormont and Croke Park
Irish policy during the Iraq crisis exposed a persistent ambiguity in the country’s understanding of military neutrality. Ireland was not a member of NATO, did not join the United States-led invasion and repeatedly favoured a United Nations-centred approach. But American military aircraft and personnel had long used Shannon Airport under permissions granted by the Irish authorities. As war approached, that established practice acquired a radically different political meaning. To opponents, a commercial and transport facility had become a material link in a war they believed lacked adequate UN authority; to the Government, abruptly withdrawing access would damage relations with the United States and Britain and depart from a longstanding policy.