S2S Oct 12 - 3 arrested in Mayo, Dempsey cornered in Galway

by Terry Thu Oct 12, 2006 13:05

Indymedia uk is reporting three protests in support of the struggle in Mayo in England yesterday.
A Shell station in Bradford was visited by a Samba band, see:
https://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/10/353301.html

There was a protest and roof banner drop in Leeds, see:
https://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/10/353255.html

A roof top occupation and pumps switch off in Brighton, see:
https://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/10/353309.html

Fair play to all involved!

by psued Thu Oct 12, 2006 14:16

and this too
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/10/353315.html

by Shane - Shell to Sea Thu Oct 12, 2006 15:14

The Fianna Fail Society invited Minister for natural resources to speak in NUIG and despite their attempts to deter a protest by keeping the location a secret a Shell to Sea contingent managed to make their presence known and their voices heard.
The only information about Noel Dempsey's visit to Galway was to be found on a bulletin of the weeks events from the Students Union. He was in the University to speak to Cumman de Barra but while they told the Students Union he would be speaking in the Arts Millenium building, their own members were told to assemble outside of the quad. Galway Shell to sea supporters quickly deduced by its emptiness that the Siobhain McKenna theatre was not the venue for todays talk, although given Dempsey's unpopularity at present it would hardly have been surprising if it had been the case that this was the venue. Brandishing freshly made 'Release the Bellenaboy three' placards we scoured the college trying to track down the smell of corruption.
We eventually found where he had been when we came across a chariot of a black prince (ie. a large black mercedes parked behind the quad) and further searching led to the discovery of his location in the quad.
A protest was mounted at his car and a presence kept around the front of the building in case the Gardai had been clever enough to bring a second car. As it turns out they weren't and he was ushered out of the building into an unimpressive looking red citreon van belonging to campus security. Protestors were quick to mobilise and presented him with a barrage of questions, all of which he failed to answer.
Instead he sat in the front of the van grinning unimpressively. The only answer he gave to any of us was when he told one protestor 'I don't make deals on natural resources.' This of course left us a bit confused and wondering if maybe Dempsey hadn't read his job description (Minister for natural resources surely would have something to do with natural resources wouldn't it?) or had simply gotten so used to lying he was going to also deny his own identity and suggest he was employed by the University and that's why he was in the van.
Regardless however of Dempsey's Walter Mitty tendancies what was shown today is that the government and Fianna Fail are now so convinced that public opinion is against them that they won't even make a public appearance in the months coming up to a general election for fear that the people of Ireland will expose them for the crooks they are and won't answer a question as they know there is no satisfactory explaination for the actions of their consorts Shell and the State-Rent-A-Cop-Company (incorporated) in North Mayo.

by TD - Shell to Sea Thu Oct 12, 2006 15:53

We eventually collared him !
Following the malodorous visits of the Israeli ambassador and head honcho of Shell EP Ireland, Andy Pyle, to NUIGalway last week, along comes our minister for the Marine,etc and fellow traveller of Shell, Noel Dempsey to do a shite on our tolerance threshold.

NUI Galway, it seems, has been turned into dung hill where the hirelings of vicious Israel, murderous Shell as regards the Ogoni 9 and whathisface can crow their wares?.
Following abortive scouting of the Siobhan McKenna Theatre and a sounding of the Student Union through the mobile we eventually tracked Dempsey to the building at the back of the Quad where we mounted a picket before he and his security bods tried to wrong foot us by exiting out the front.

Shane had his say to his uncommenting face and Sarah got a camera shot before he buggered off?.

"Waiting for the man, 26 placards in our hands" 'n bejaysus, we scored !

In the foreground, SP Shane who's doing powerful activist work in Galway the past couple of weeks.

Back of the Quad where Dempsey was expected to exit.

This amiable dude, driver/bodyguard of Dempsey engaged us in banter.

Donncha

by Richard - Galway S2S Thu Oct 12, 2006 15:56

It turns out that the meeting with Dempsey was in a room with a capacity of 20 people! The fact that they probably couldn't even fill that shows that no-one has any time for this slimy, big-business backed Fianna Fáiler (tautology, I know).

Having just gotten back from Rossport a few hours ago, having seen the developing situation up there, one thing is clear - Galway Shell to Sea must get organised. We have to get as many as possible to the weekly meetings (Java's 7pm Wednesdays) and most importantly getting involved in activities e.g. meeting Noel Dempsey, Andy Pyle...

Things in Rossport are really starting to take off again. With a push from people going up, we can once again stop the work at Bellanaboy. A provisional date of Friday 20th of October has been set for a day of action. If you are interested in going from Galway, do not hesitate to contact Galway Shell to Sea...

by R. Isible Thu Oct 12, 2006 16:00

Any pictures of Dempsey smirking away? Nice job. It's a fairly sure thing that Dempsey will end up losing more on this than any other minister so keeping the pressure on him where it belongs is a good thing.

by Terry Thu Oct 12, 2006 16:22

this is in response to an earlier, now hidden comment - but will leave this response up as it makes some valid points - ed
“why does an update get put on imc-uk and nearly an hour later has not yet appeared here.”

(1) Because Rossport Solidarity Camp no longer has an office with functioning internet access and has limited numbers of people.
If you have a problem with this I suggest you concern yourself with getting more people and more equipment for it.

(2) Because the updates put here on indymedia.ie from Mayo are of high quality with detailed reporting and lots of good photos. Two people have been working on that since this morning - within the limitations of the situation described above, and within the limitations of also having to attend almost nightly meetings, daily, increasingly aggressive confrontations from the police, and the workload readying a protest camp for winter in the wilds of the Atlantic coastline.

(3) Because this campaign has activity in at the moment in Ireland, Britain, Germany and the United States, and just as people in Dublin say like to have a good communication stream from Mayo one would imagine this is also true of people in Britain. To help that, and help with indymedia.ie coverage I have been known to phone people in Mayo and put brief reports up - which anyone can do - while other folk on the ground are putting up the main report, I put up a report on indymedia uk, while working for a report on some of the latest media coverage for indymedia.ie (the camp requested that I, and others, monitor the corporate/state media coverage). Oh and it might be a bit helpful given the massive effort people here in Ireland have put into starting up the campaign in Britain.

(4) Because indymedia.ie is for original reporting, not for cuts and pastes from other Indy sites (as above).

(5) And no, as the person who broke this whole story on indymedia.ie, who has done more than anyone else to report on it for indymedia.ie, who is also taking on putting updates and backgrounders onto indymedia uk, and who is proud to count as friends the other people who report from Mayo on this site - the majority of whom have given up their normal lives to fight Shell, I don’t appreciate these anonymous consumer criticisms. Dictatorship of Doers Forever. Please notice the 'publish' button at the top of your screen.

by Bob and Eve - Rossport Solidarity Camp/ Shell to Sea Thu Oct 12, 2006 16:24

Photos from this morning

Scuffles break out as Gardai force back protesters.

An independent filmmaker has his tapes confiscated.

by Fox Thu Oct 12, 2006 16:26

Fair Play lads! Sorry I couldnt make it down, had to go to college. Keep the pressure on. Shell to Sea even got a stint on the Joe Duffy show today! (not that hes any good). Whats the story with the picket/blockade on Friday? Let me know

by 10,000 doorsteppers Thu Oct 12, 2006 16:30

Noel Dempsey must resign.

The people of Tara can help with that one.

PMQ's should be asked.

Question to Bertie Ahern of the Political donations, what exactly is your relationship to the
head of Shell EP?

Bertie Ahern made a statement saying that he had never been unethical in his term of
office, the closest he came to being unethical was in meeting the head of Shell.

Am researching the statement.

by Eve - Rossport Solidarity Camp/ Shell to Sea Thu Oct 12, 2006 16:31 rossportsolidaritycamo at gmail dot com

Two Garda check points were placed several hundred meters either side of the entrance of Rossport Solidarity Camp this morning. The check points were in place by 6:30 am when campers were leaving for the pickets at Bellababoy. Vehicles were stoppped and drivers asked to produce driving licenses. Gardai also asked for the name and address of all passengers in the vehicles.

by Terry Thu Oct 12, 2006 16:34

See:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/10/353354.html

by Murphy Thu Oct 12, 2006 17:45

Fianna Fail, the PDs, Fine Gael...Noel Dempsey....

not to mention the silent throne seekers in the Green Party, Labour and Sinn Fein...

they will all pay for this.

What is happening is an other abuse of people's rights, and of the basic functions of society.

The Gardai are facilitating one of the world's largest oil companies - ROYAL DUTCH SHELL - and a State sponsored Norwegian company - Statoil.

The Irish government are representing foreign oil interests and not the rights and freedoms of our own citizens.

I know that these people will be punished at the ballot boxes, but I also know of many many young and old people getting angry at the abuse of ordinary decent people.

These people are starting to get organised and I know they will join others in blockading, occupying, etc. for many years to come if necessary.

Let us rise!

by Margaretta D'Arcy - Radio Pirate women Thu Oct 12, 2006 18:55

12th of October
This morning at Erris the guardai were out in force stopping all the campers vehicles a fwe hundred yards from the camp . They surrounded our van, two of the gardai with videos pointing it through the front window and along the sides. They asked the usual questions re tax etc as well as taking our names and addresses.
The tactics of the gardai had changed on the protest deliberately targeting two members of the Erris Fishermens Association who the previous day had issues a statement supporting Shell To Sea. They arrested two members and another youth, a press statement issued on local radio saying a garda had been assualted and had blood on his face, none of us saw any blood on his face but we did see mud on his face when he slipped.
Provocative statements were yelled through a loud speaker saying why didn't we go to work.
There was an informal agreement that we should not step over the white line and the gardai should likewise not step over it. This was broken when they snatched the young fishermen, also they have kicked protestors, used abusive language " Your day is numbered we'll see you in a ditch". The latest news we heard that the fishermen were charged with disorderly behavior.
Ulster BBC,News Talk 106, RTE Morning Ireland,RTE TV Seoige&OS'hea all arranged interviews withJohn Monaghan, Vincent Mc Grath, Willie Corduff all were cancelled or not called ,instead the Shell Workers were interviewed. The gardai and media are getting rattled.
See more pictures at www.margarettadarcy.com
Margaretta D' Arcy

One of the lads that got arrested

Dragged to the back of the guards van

by cool j Thu Oct 12, 2006 22:43

A victory for people-power here tonight with gardai forced to drop their trumped-up charges against the fisherman after demonstrations outside the police station at Belmullet were the men were being held!! - This highlights the benefits of having independent people filming the activities of the gardai.
The fisherman were targeted this morning after the Erris Inshore Fishermans Association here in North Mayo yesterday called for the gardai to be withdrawn from Erris and for Shell to seriously address their concerns over the amount of toxic waste and heavy metals the company want to discharge from the terminal into Broadhaven bay(reported in the Times yesterday!), one of the most important important SAC's in the country and a vital source of sustainable employment in the local fishing, shellfish and aquaculture industries. Despite Shell's usual weasel words about saying the wanted to address the fisherman's concerns(a bit like how they are currently addressing local people's concerns!!), they and their state thugs deceided to delibratly target these men for daring to speak out against a grave wrong!!

by o - shelltosea Thu Oct 12, 2006 23:45 0 0

every day for the past 9 days iv'e been kicked, jumped on,need in the face,charged at to wit almost down a 12 foot drain[ quick thinking on my part ] charged at by gardas hand straight at my neck, today the gardas dislocated my fifth finger,now i'm only telling what happened to me,i'm not complaing, what i also seen with my own two eyes is the most police brutalty that mayo has witnessed since the black and tans,but all we can do is stay peaceful. i saw a young girl being punched in the face, split her lip,she was very brave. the abuse and the threats are be on our human rights,our local counciler Tim Quin was at the gate today and the abuse and insults he recieved he could not comprehend,he said that he would make a complaint, but to who , nobody seems to be in charge.a few workers are more inportant then the constution and human rights.Dempsy sent the garda so it's up to him to keep the garda in line. we have always been peaceful, there is alo Sharon O'toole complaints dept. please put her phone number on web site , before someone gets seriously hurt or killed.It's on your neck DEMPSY not on mine stop this uncivil abuse.........

peaceful protester

by CG Thu Oct 12, 2006 23:52

The hundreds of police sent to occupy this area last Tuesday Oct 3rd were accompanied by a riot squad and armed back-up. The first shift in the attack had 170+ deployed. This means that Commissioner Conroy from Eachleim and Chief Superintendent McNamara from Achill were prepared to have us killed: gunmen are deployed to shoot and not to sing lullabies - Abbeylara etc. To improve the chances that some of our people would re-act violently and thus be 'legitimate targets', we were penned in an area that is not tarred but that is floored with rough hard-core, fist-size crushed quartzite, ideal and convenient weapons for anyone who might lose their patience with foreign toxic bodies. The crowds, in spite of our anger, did not give the invading force an excuse to use their guns.

For sixteen months the local community members kept order at the Shell compound gate at Ballinaboy. In that time no one was hurt - except one bystander knocked down by a Roadbridge jeep July 2005 - nor was any property damaged. Within two days of the Conry-McNamara attack, two of our people had to get hospital treatment, many have minor injuries, one Roadbridge worker from Ballycroy is hospitalised for a serious arm injury and the police have smashed the gate of the Shell compound.

I notified the Commissioner in writing 6 months ago of the unsuitabliity of Chief Superintendent McNamara to trust with the planning and implementing of an attack on our community.

Micheál Ó Seighin

by jm Fri Oct 13, 2006 02:12 Rossport

A couple of pics from today's arrest situation.

Supporters outside Belmullet Garda Station

An Erris fisherman waits for his brother's release

Welcoming committee after release

Celebrations at Bellanaboy Gate No. 1

SHELL OUT

by JM Fri Oct 13, 2006 02:27 Rossport

Micheál mentioned the damage to gate number one at Bellanaboy, the first piece of vandalism since protests began.

Last Friday, while cups of tea were flying out of the trailer to embattled protestors, a loud crack echoed into the forest across the road. The sound was a coach (carrying another dollop of cops for Shell gate duty) reversing into the timber post holding up the famous gate, splitting it in two and leaving the gate hanging askew. Luckily no-one was hurt.

But what a bunch of eejits!

Repairs to Gate No. 1

by John Fri Oct 13, 2006 13:24

Have you ever paused to consider that all your infantile protesting is totally counter-productive, that in fact its actually leading to increased support for the present government? Well, have a look at today's Irish Times. Support for FF has increased by 8 per cent and the FF/PD coalition is heading for an easy victory next May. Labour are going nowhere, their support is down to 11 per cent. And its now clear that SF peaked a few years ago. They're stuck at 8 per cent and clearly totally incapable of breaking out of single figures. They're going nowhere. All that campaigning by Baby Sinn Fein or Ogra Sinn Fein as it likes to call itself, all those sit-ins, protests, occupations of Shell petrol stations, all a total waste of time as far as garnering public support for SF is concerned. Reading this site, you'd think the whole population of Ireland was up in arms and were having a repeat of the Easter Rising in opposition to the present government. Actually, all these protests that you are so proud of on this site are drawing but a handful of people. The great mass of the population have no interest whatever in them or in revolutionary politics of any kind and will show that by returning the present government next May. Its not difficult to predict the political future of Ireland in the next 12 months: (1) the present government will be returned comfortably (2) following the election there will be a tremendous sense of disillusionment on the part of all these left-wing groups who have spent the past 5 years doing sit-ins. occupations of corporate offices, protest marches and generally acting as if Ireland was not the prosperous bourgeois country that it is but some sort of Latin American republic on the brink of revolution - expect all this frenetic protest activity that is so well-documented on this site to fizzle out after next May when those who've engaged in it this past 5 years realise its been a total waste of time (3) SF will have the most cause to re-think after next May. When they realise they've totally failed to make a breakthrough and are stuck at 7 to 8 per cent support, they'll come to the conclusion that the only way they'll gain a foothold in government, even in a small way as a very junior coalition partner to one of the larger parties, is to totally abandon revolutionary politics and become a proper bourgeois capitalist party just like FF, FG and the others. When they come to that conclusion after next May's election, expect them to dissolve or at least put a curb on the juvenile activities of Baby Sinn Fein.

by Shane - Shell to Sea Fri Oct 13, 2006 14:18

You have proved on this website repeatedly that not only are you out of touch with the general popualtion but that you are out of touch with reality.
You are always selective in the information you put forward and in the sources you choose to use.
I think by now it is generally accepted by the readers of indymedia that you have a vested interest.
Most people are a bit more media savvy than you give them credit for and are aware that there are other sources of information than the mainstream press.
And when you're talking to your cleaner next (that is if you consider your cleaner worth talking to) why not ask what she or he thinks about Bertie or Shell to Sea rather than preaching to us what it is that the general population thinks.
WE are the people.
YOUR days are numbered.

by Brian Fri Oct 13, 2006 14:56

Why is it that the Shell to sea campaigners cannot realise that the people of Ireland (and indeed the people of Mayo) do not support their campaign and do not support their methods. I just heard one of their spokespeople try to argue that they weren't blocking the road - the guards blocked it first ! Wake up. It is illegal to block a public road - what gives you the right to flaunt the law? It is not acceptable in any democracy for individuals or small groups to determine that a law is to be ignored. You are operating under the misguided and wholly arrogant impression that you are right and everyone else is wrong. Only a child or a fool operates to that principle. You are costing the country a fortune in your misguided and illegal action and lets be clear here - you do NOT have the support of the wider population who are footing this bill. You state that you are acting in the best interests of the people of Ireland - well then accept the decisions of the organs of the state of this country and keep your protest and your actions within the law. Cease your blockade and commit formally to allow the works to continue so the Garda presence can be reduced to "normal". Grow up and accept that sometimes your own selfish self interests have to take second place to the broader best interest of the country

by Bill - Secrectary of the Brian is a f****n eejit campaign Fri Oct 13, 2006 16:03

First of all, recent polls have confirmed that not only the people of mayo, but also the wider population support the campaign:

http://www.rte.ie/news/features/election2007/polls/nuac...t.pdf

Polls were also conducted by national newspapers and TG4. To the best of my knowledge, every single poll found that the people of this country support our actions in Bellanaboy (etc.) and are opposed to the dirty actions of Shell, the Government and an Garda Siochana.

Perhaps, you should put down your brandy, take your feet off your human foot stool and look outside, I'm sure you'll be pleasantly suprised (or not).

If by self interests you mean the interests of the country of Ireland, then I suppose we are selfish to want ownership of OUR gas. I suppose we should all become followers of the Brian ideology and lay down to Shell. And try not to let our quiet sobbing disturb Shell after they have finished raping us.

We will keep protesting the actions of Shell and stop the work at Bellanaboy.

Brian, you are invited to come to Rossport and assist the campaign on Friday 20th October, if you so wish. (P.S. not the best idea to bring your proletarian slaves with you, it may be frowned upon.)

by hedgehog Fri Oct 13, 2006 16:14

I would really like you to tell me how you believe this enterprise will be
"in the broader best interest of the country"

by Bill - S2S Fri Oct 13, 2006 16:57

All the gas was given to the consortium (Shell, Statoil, Marathon) by the Irish government. They will pay very little if any tax on profits. With prices of gas soaring these profits are bound to be enormous.

Some naive people (hedgehog?) are under the illusion that the whole project will be of great benefit to Ireland in terms of the availability of cheap gas piped from within the country itself. In fact, the Irish consumer will be forced to pay the international market rate for the gas.

All this comes down to the question: 'Who owns the gas?'

I, and Shell to Sea, maintain that the gas is owned by the people of Ireland and should be used for OUR benefit. The Irish government should have led the project in order to provide the country with cheap and safe natural gas.

Even if this is impossible, Shell etc. should be forced to pay royalties and proper levels of tax. This gas belongs to the people of Ireland, not Norway (...Statoil). That is why it is in the broader best interest of this country, and that's without including the solidarity factor with the people of Rossport, whose lives are actually being put in danger.

by Reality Fri Oct 13, 2006 17:08

Can we please get the tax issue straight once and for all?

The Shell group will pay 25% tax on all of its profits (defined as income less costs). If it makes vast profits as you suggest then exactly 25% of that vast profit will go to the Irish Government and thus to the Irish people. This is double the normal tax rate of 12.5% payable by companies in Ireland.

Just clarifying.

by Bill - S2S Fri Oct 13, 2006 17:17

If my sources are correct, Shell can write off expenses incurred in exploration etc. against tax.

Therefore, they will go many years before actually paying tax on the exploitation (rather apt choice of word, don't you think) of our gas

by Reality Fri Oct 13, 2006 17:34

Naturally exploration costs can be deducted - they are a part of costs and the part for which a company is most greatly exposed to risk (overall, there is only about a 3% probability of finding oil or gas from an exploration well offshore Ireland).

However, the cost of exploration is small compared to development and production costs, so the delay in the start of tax payments resulting from exploration costs will be very short (probably only a few weeks).

by Shane - Shell to Sea Fri Oct 13, 2006 18:35

Last week in Galway Andy Pyle told a variety of lies and half truths to make the actions of shell seem reasonable, balanced and beneficial to the Irish people. One thing however that he did not deny was that once expenses had been factored in Shell would probably never pay any taxes. He just stood there ignored the question and skipped on to the next point.
Now if Andy Pyle is so certain that they won't pay taxes he can't even be bothered to lie about it how can you be so certain that they will?

by Reality Fri Oct 13, 2006 18:51

Since when did refusing to deny something mean that you admitted it was true? I have never met a manager from any company of any sort who is willing to talk about tax liabilities in public!

However, if you look at the accounts of any successful oil company you will see that they do pay taxes in huge amounts, so to imply that taxes are only for the poor is, in this case at least, wildly inaccurate.

by Bill - S2S Sat Oct 14, 2006 12:41

It is obvious that taxes are for the poor, all you have to do is to look at government figures. Not only do many many rich people have tax exemptions (don't start making the artist argument, I'm not including them), but many more pay infinitesimal tax.

People such as building contractors, who have been engaged in state building projects can claim future expenses back against tax. There is no doubt in my mind who the government favours between Shell and the ordinary Joe Soap, the latest fiasco with Bertie just confirms that. Don't even get me started on CJ and Ray Burke.

Companies should pay high rates of tax, especially if their raw materials (e.g. natural gas) have been literally given to them by the government. I know that Shell won't be paying tax (very little if any), Shane and Shell to Sea know, even Andy Pyle knows. How long will it take you to realise that the perfect Ireland, with companies paying high rates of tax and the government doing things for the benefit of ordinary people, does not exist.

You seem to be living in a dream-world along with Bertie, McDowell and Michael O'Leary. Just watch out, Mikey bites.

by Shane - Shell to Sea Sat Oct 14, 2006 12:51

Had you been in the presence of the vile Pyle you would have seen that he is a lot more likely to lie than to fail to answer a question. The fact is that the 25% rate of tax (the lowest in the world) on Shell's profits can all be written off against expenses and research and development. Shell sink a well in the Pacific, research for Corrib. Shell build a pipline in Kyrgizstan, research for Corrib. Shell sink a ship in the artic, research for Corrib. Shell order in a pepporoni pizza, research for Corrib.
Sorry but the reality is that 'our' government have failed to secure a good deal for the Irish people. I don't care where your politics lie but that's bad for all of us.

by Reality Sat Oct 14, 2006 13:15

Yours statements are totally inaccurate.

First, it is not true that Shell's tax can be written off against costs and expenses, their costs and expenses can be written off against tax - a very different thing.

Secondly, it is utterly rediculous to suggest that costs spent by Shell on overseas projects can be written off against tax liabilities in Ireland. Only costs that relate directly to petroleum exploration, deveplopment, production and decommissioning in Ireland can be used to reduce Irish tax liabilities and you can be very certain that the Irish Government will be carefully auditing Shell's tax submissions to ensure that is the case.

Finally, why do you assume everyone is lying - particularly when they do not say anything?

by Bill - S2S Sat Oct 14, 2006 14:54

As Shane said, although in a confusing manner, Shell can write off COSTS OF RESEARCH against tax. However, the fun part is that they can pass off nearly anything as research for the Corrib project. If they are planning a similar project in another country, who is to say that drilling holes for this project isn't research for Corrib?

In relation to your final point, maybe you should check your dictionary because the word 'lie' has more than one meaning:
"I don't care where your politics LIE but that's bad for all of us."

by Reality Sat Oct 14, 2006 15:23

I joined this thread to clarify the postion by setting out the facts about how the tax liabilities of the Corrib group will be calculated.

Clearly you have absolutely no interest in accurate facts, just inventing ridiculous theories to try and make a case for something which has no basis. Repeating the absurd statement that Shell would be able to claim tax deductions for the cost of drilling elsewhere does not make it any more credible. If this was not a serious matter it would be laughable.

I am glad to be able to say that my politics does not LIE, there is no doubt that you could not say the same.

by Bill - S2S Sat Oct 14, 2006 15:41

Clearly the people of Rossport and surrounding areas, the hundreds of people who have protested outside Bellanaboy and according to polls, the people of Mayo and the rest of the country believe that this is something that has basis. The fact that there have been solidarity protests confirm support.

You have clearly fallen hook, line and sinker for the lies and propaganda of our pro-big-business government and corporations like Shell. It's you I pity, with such levels of naivety you rival a child.

On top of that, you still cannot comprehend the phrase 'where your politics lie' (lie as in lay).

by hedgehog Sat Oct 14, 2006 16:10

Please read this article before disseminating opinions that one would most charitably describe as wilfully uninformed and misleading.

It contains a description of previous terms versus the current ones and a few good relevant links.

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75446

In light of recent developments at Bellinaboy, I find it hard to believe that someone with two eyes and ears and an IQ above room temperature would post such ridiculous pro shell, pro government defences and opinions here unless of course, there was something in it for them.

Shame on you if you are irish.

by Reality Sat Oct 14, 2006 16:41

I suppose I should have realised that when faced with the facts you would just resort to abuse.

My statements of the facts are based on many years of experience (although I have no conection with Shell, Statoil or Marathon) and are undeniably accurate. Hedgehog, I am not uninformed - either wilfully or otherwise.

Bill, without getting into any of the other issues surrounding Corrib, on the matter of taxation, those that are protesting at Bellanaboy and elsewhere have simply been missled and it is no surprise if you and Hedgehog are among those that are leading them.

Hedgehog, the facts stand up for themselves, implying that the recent events at Ballanaboy should somehow make stating them unacceptable is a corrupt argument.

Finally, Bill I fully understood your inept attempt at a pun on "lie". I should have thought my response made that obvoius.

I have nothing more to say - none of your abuse or absurd theories will induce me to attempt any more rational debate here.

by Bill - S2S Sat Oct 14, 2006 17:53

Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow

by hedgehog Sat Oct 14, 2006 18:05

* for arguments sake hedgehog gullibly puts aside all suspicion that reality is not genuine *

look reality,
I am just an ordinary joe. Never mind my opinion.
Just read the excellent magill article I indirectly linked to in my last comment
Here, I'll make it easier for you:

http://www.corribsos.com/index.php?id=54

Do you think this pretty well researched article in a respectable national publication was misinformed?

Having read it, do you honestly still think we got a great deal?