Bray Airshow Update!

After sustained public pressure and direct engagement with Wicklow County Council, the organisers of the Bray Air Display have made the right decision: Lockheed Martin will no longer sponsor this year’s event.

Lockheed Martin is one of the world’s largest weapons manufacturers. It supplies Israel with military equipment, including fighter jets and Apache helicopters, the very machinery used in the ongoing assault on Gaza. With over 54,000 Palestinians killed since the conflict began, it’s unthinkable that a family-friendly community event like the Bray Air Display could be associated with a company profiting from such horror.

I’ve heard from so many of you: constituents, concerned citizens, and peace campaigners, who were rightly appalled by this sponsorship. Your emails, messages, and social media posts made a difference. You made your voices heard.

What’s more shocking is that Lockheed Martin’s financial contribution to the event was just €5,000. That’s an incredibly small amount for any event of this scale, but it carried a heavy cost in terms of public trust and ethical responsibility.

Even after public concern began to mount, the organisers initially tried to obscure Lockheed Martin’s involvement by replacing its logo with that of a subsidiary. A quiet attempt to sidestep accountability. But this only added to the public's unease and reinforced just how serious this issue really was.

As a neutral country, Ireland has an obligation under both international law and moral duty not to be complicit in acts of genocide. That responsibility isn’t limited to our foreign policy. It must be reflected in the choices we make locally, including the kinds of partnerships and sponsorships we accept.

Remaining silent in the face of injustice isn’t neutrality it’s complicity.

This decision to drop Lockheed Martin sends a powerful message of solidarity with the people of Gaza. But it’s also a call to action here at home. We must remain vigilant about how public resources and platforms are used. We can’t claim to stand for peace and human rights while accepting money or support from those fuelling war and occupation.

I want to thank everyone who took a stand on this issue. Your voices helped make this happen. Together, we’ve shown that community values still matter and that when we act collectively, we can hold institutions accountable and demand better.