Irish premier Micheal Martin has rejected claims that Shannon Airport is being used to support Israel's military offensive in Gaza, warning that such statements could harm the airport’s reputation. Speaking during a visit to Philadelphia for Saint Patrick’s Day, he said there had been repeated and false attempts to link the airport to the conflict.

He also stated there was no evidence that Irish airspace had been used to transport munitions for attacks on Iran. Martin said suggestions to the contrary were part of a continuing political narrative within Ireland that could damage Shannon Airport if it persisted.

The premier emphasised that Ireland does not host any military bases and said the presence of United States soldiers on chartered stopover flights at Shannon does not make it a military airbase. He added that such flights do not carry munitions and operate within international aviation law, though he acknowledged that monitoring and enforcement can be challenging.