Spybase attack accused bailed

DEREK FLYNN/Marlborough Express

OH LORD: Dominican friar Peter Murnane has been charged with intentionally damaging a satelite at the Government Communications Security Bureau and entering a building with intention to commit a crime. He was also granted bail.

DEREK FLYNN/Marlborough Express

GRANTED BAIL: Adrian James Leason, one of three men accused deflating the protective dome over a satelite dish at the Waihopai Spybase, has been granted bail.

DEREK FLYNN/Marlborough Express

OUT: Samuel Peter Frederick Land at the Blenheim District Court. Accused of damaging the Waihopai Spybase protest with a sickle, Land and two others have been granted bail, and are to reappear on June 9 for a pre-depositions hearing.

Marlborough Express

SUPPORT: Waihopai spybase protesters show their support for the three men arrested in connection to the attack on the US base last week.

Relevant offers

Crime

Baby murder-accused sobs, sniffles in court NZ police access Facebook evidence Warning: Man approaching children Jail for stabbing ex-partner with screwdriver Megaupload accused to spend another weekend in jail Wellington man fit for trial on wife's murder Teen jailed for sexual assault Drink-driver who attacked officers jailed Accused 'shut eyes and pulled trigger' Baby death accused wants conviction discharged

The three men accused of deflating a dome at the Waihopai spy base last week were granted bail this morning on the condition they stay out of Marlborough.

The Christian Ploughshares war protest group allegedly broke into the base last week and used a sickle to pierce one of two 30-metre rubber domes that protect the satellite dishes.

Dominican friar Peter Murnane, Otaki organic gardener Adrian Leason and Hokianga farmer Sam Land were charged with causing intentional damage and entering a building with intent to commit a crime.

Murnane and Land smiled and shook hands after their bail was granted by Judge Denys Barry.

"Peace be with you," Land said to his supporters as he left the dock.

The trio were remanded on bail for a June 9 pre-depositions hearing.

Leason has been fasting since his arrest and Murnane has been eating only dried food.

The men looked well as they stood in the dock and smiled at the those in the packed public gallery of the tiny courtroom two. Many of the supporters had to wait in the lobby.

About 20 supporters had earlier yelled "What do we want? Waihopai Closed'' outside the courthouse. Veteran protestor John Minto was among those outside the court this morning

Antibases Campaign committee spokeswoman Lynda Boyd said those who had gathered wanted to show support and solitarily to the men.

"The key message is we want the Waihopai base closed,'' she said.

She said four car loads of people drove from Christchurch this morning and others had travelled from Nelson and other parts of the country.

The supporters were members of various groups.

They planned to hold a further demonstration at Waihopai at 2pm, depending on the outcome of the court appearance.

Nelson Peace Group secretary Anne FitzSimon said four members of the group came to Blenheim to support the men.

"We also want to thank them for putting Waihopai back on the map again,'' Ms FitzSimon said.

- The Marlborough Express