Bloody reports from Ballinaboy/ Rossport 19-22 Jan

by Aron Mon Jan 22, 2007 13:44

Pics from Friday 19th

''This is for your own safety''

Still here, still fighting...

Machinery at work

Untreated water leaving site, heading for Carrowmore lake

Untreated water being pumped off site from truck wash

by Aron Mon Jan 22, 2007 13:47

Damage from Shells trucks hauling on the bog roads

Cracks along haul road

by krossie - (wsm personal capacity) Mon Jan 22, 2007 14:15

It’s very hard to ascertain if there is any logical point to the Gardai activities with regard to wading in and assaulting all around them as other than to bully and injure people it serves no practical purpose.

Simple!
They aren’t serving any public order function.
They’re all well paid volunteers specially selected on the basis that they are violent assholes.
They are under orders from the top (and I mean way, way above superintendent Ganon - the very top of the "justice" department) to beat people and beat them hard purely to deter them from protesting.

Around 50 cars drove on mass towards the refinery, slowing down the Shell workers.

Good creative tactics – thanks for the excellent report
– beir bua
– This will be a long haul

krossie

by Donncha - Shell to Sea Mon Jan 22, 2007 14:29

Udaras na Gaeltachta (The Gaeltacht Authority) is responsible for the economic social and cultural development of the Irish- speaking areas. It is run by elected representatives of Gaeltacht constituencies - in contrast to other state - sponsored bodies where board members are government appointees Elections to the Udaras Board take place every five years and most members are political party representatives. Bizarrely (and undemocratically) all board meetings are held in private. One unfortunate result of this situation is that the ordinary voter has no way of knowing whether the candidate he helped to elect is acting for or against his interest and he must remain in the dark when it comes to inquiring how individual board members voted on a particular issue - unless a member chooses to disclose that information.

In the recent shameful development, where the Udaras decided to grant a seven year lease to Shell on a vacant factory building in their Beal an Mhuirthead regional office area, the people of Rossport and adjoining areas have been left in the dark as to which Udaras members have united to give aid and comfort to their oppressors. And this intolerable and farcical situation must be addressed at an early stage, so that an end can be called to a type of political shenanigans which are a dire affront to Gaeltacht people, and have been tolerated far too long by them.
When the recent decision was taken, all we know for certain is that two loyal supporters of the Rossport cause, on the Udaras board - Councillor O Cuaig(Indep.) of Connamara and Councillor Ni Cheidigh SF of the Donegal Gaeltacht voted against the motion. It has been said that there were five abstensions.

One of these, Counsillor Mc Gearalt has had a double motion passed at a recent Kerry Co Council meeting, requesting Minister Dempsey to visit Rossport with a view to seeking a just solution to that beleagured community's problems. The second part of the motion urged the same indifferent minister to ensure that the State should have a reasonable share in the immense profits accruing to multy-national corporations who exploit our natural resources.It is said that Councillor Tim Quinn(FF) - one of the two Erris representatives - also had the good sense to recoil from becoming a Shell stooge, and decided to abstain. The other Erris representative, Councillor Mac Andrew (FG) is of course a Shell - embedded councillor of long-if not honourable - standing.

Long has the Rossport people's patience been sorely tried by the indifference of the Udaras to the plight of that Gaeltacht area'. Their decision to grant a lease to Shell - so that 25 ( English speaking) staff could be transferred from Dublin was made without any consultation with the people of the Erris Gaeltacht. All of this to help with Shell's planns to build a highly dangerous gas refinary in a pristine and beautiful environment.

The pathetic situation of the Udaras bending to the will of Shell (one of the world's most powerful and ruthless pressure groups) when their clear duty lies in coming to the assistance of a Gaeltacht people under seige, was deplored by every speaker at yesterdays very successful Shell cun Saile protest held outside the Udaras HQ in Na Forbacha Galway.

A large and enthusiastic gathering of people from every one of the west coast Gaeltacht areas, from Kerry to Donegal was present. The proceedings were opened by Councillor Niall O Brollachain, Green Party representative and Mayor of Galway, who expressed his admiration for the Rossport people and his best wishes for the ultimate success of their cause. As a token of their appreciation he was presented with a dedicated copy of ' Our Story- the Rossport Five' by their two representatives present, Willie Corduff and Vincent Mc Grath. Vincent and Willie then addressed the meeting, each emphasising their anger and revulsion at the cowardly conduct of Udaras. The meeting was also addressed by Brid Ni Sheighin on behalf of her father Miceal. Independent Councillors Seosamh O Cuaig and Catherine Connolly then addressed the people followed by Sean O Coisdeala, Colm O Mainin, Joe Molloy and Sean O Murchu (SF)

To conclude the proceedings, the people then walked to both the Udaras and Roinn na Gaeltachta buildings, where letters of protest were delivered.

Finally, we are glad to report that our hard- working and dedicated Indymedia contributor's appeal for contributions towards the purchase of a new server for that fine organisation was met with a very generous response from the people. A draft for 679 euro should help to ensure the continuity of the wonderful service for some time to come.

by TD - Shell to Sea Mon Jan 22, 2007 14:37

from Furbo !.

by TD Mon Jan 22, 2007 14:47

Westside Shell !

Shell Westside Service Station, Galway.

by Niall - Shell to Sea. Mon Jan 22, 2007 15:33

The policy of the Gardaí, as outlined by Supt Joe Gannon in November's issue of The Garda Review magazine, is not to arrest people they perceive as breaking the law. So ... the Garda policy is not to enforce the law with arrests which would hold people accountable before the law, but rather they have adopted a policy of bullying, intimidation and assault of protesters who are working to halt this project as currently proposed through a peaceful protest of civil disobedience to Shell Law.

Eh ... Supt Gannon ... What was that oath you took again?

Novembers issue of The Garda Review magazine is conspicous by it's absence from the www.gra.ie website! December is there, October is there ... eh ... where's Wally?

by Eve - Shell to Sea/ RSC Mon Jan 22, 2007 16:01

26th January; Mayo day of support at Bellanaboy
We are asking people from around the county to join us in our morning walk and see what is happening for themselves. Bring banners and placards.

27th January; Fundraiser with Ronan O’Snodaigh and Liam O’Maonlai plus local Mayo artists.
Fáilte Suite, Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Doors open at 8 pm.
Tickets cost 20 euros.
For more details you can ring Breda at 087 4188097

1st February; Shell announce annual profits.

3rd February; Launch of Kilcommon development plan, Caethrutheig at 4pm. The plan is a ‘bottom up’ development plan developed by residents of the parish of Kilcommon (including Rossport, and Bellanaboy).

11th February; Fundraiser, traditional music concert in the Hawkswell Theatre Sligo, 8pm, for more information contact the Hawkswell Threatre on 071 9161518

16th February; National day of support at Bellanaboy.
A day of support is being held on the 16th February at Bellanaboy. The aim of the day is for people from around the country to show their support and solidarity with the community of Erris in their struggle against Shell. We hope that on the 16th our supporters around the country will join us in peacefully demonstrating our opposition to Shell and the state's attempt to push this dangerous project on a small rural community. Details of the day have still to be finalised and we have lots of ideas from a cross roads ceili to a slow walk with pipers.

24th February; National rally in Dublin.

by shell to sea supporter Mon Jan 22, 2007 16:45

Delighted there is a road show and the issue is so critical that visits to political representatives be the priority. Suggest personal visits to every constituency office and leave a set of fact sheets and one photo of the police brutality in an addressed envelope and with a return address for a reply which then should be publicly listed. The political system has to be called to account again and again. Otherwise the public remain reasonably aware and the gardai and protestors keep engaged and away from the public light. Action on going forward out of the current impasse has to be strategic. And thanks to Indymedia on its return.

by . - . Mon Jan 22, 2007 18:14

22/01/2007

The Corrib Gas Partners held three open days in Castlebar and Ballina last week. Over 200 people, including a number of school groups, came along to learn about the project, to ask questions and to provide feedback. General information on the project as well as specific areas such as the terminal and pipeline, was available.
The Open Days are the first steps in public consultation around finding a new route for the onshore pipeline. A further step forward in the process of finding a modified route is the appointment of RPS to provide engineering support services for the onshore pipeline. The services to be provided by RPS will include consultation around the criteria for finding a modified route, surveying and mapping, engineering design, environmental assessment, procurement support and construction supervision.
RPS is highly experienced in gas pipeline routing and environmental assessment, having worked for Bord Gáis on the 335km Gas Pipeline to the West from Dublin to Galway / Limerick in 2002. They will work in partnership with Shell E&P Ireland Limited (SEPIL) to facilitate a modified pipeline route with landowner agreement and community acceptance. Over the coming months RPS and SEPIL will hold further public meetings to focus on the pipeline. This will be the subject of further announcements in the coming weeks.

Commenting on the appointment Mr Terry Nolan, Deputy Managing Director for SEPIL said "I am very pleased to welcome RPS on board the project. They are fully committed to help us find the best route for the onshore pipeline through a process of community consultation. I am hopeful that, through dialogue and open communication, we will find a modified pipeline route and I urge everyone with an interest in this project to fully engage in the participatory process that will be announced in the coming weeks".

by JM Mon Jan 22, 2007 21:40 Rossport

Interesting to see Shell are back on indymedia.ie on its welcome return. Put up all the arguments and let people make their own minds up.

I attended the so-called "Open" Day in Ballina last Thursday, handing out leaflets on the doorstep and engaging with passers by who were only too willing to hear the alternative to Shells spin.

After three hours or so outside in the increasing cold, a couple of us decided to go in and see what kind of line was being spun to the few people who had already gone in. In the lobby we were told (as we were dressed in white overalls with hoods and face-masks, highlighting the toxic nature of the project) that removing the hoods and masks would be preferable "so as not to intimidate the public". We were more than happy to comply, and proceeded downstairs.

At the doorway to the show we were stopped by further security, who now demanded we remove the overalls altogether. This was then insisted upon by the first guy who had followed us down. After protesting that we had already complied with the first request, had not been aware of any dress code, and had already proved our orderly conduct outside, we decided to remove ourselves instead of causing a fuss. Some open day!

The following morning we were treated to more Shell hospitality at Bellanaboy, where ill-tempered Gardai sent three people to the hospital.

Anyway, great to see indymedia up and running again, keep up the good work.

by Interested Tue Jan 23, 2007 16:24

As a matter of interest, how many of the 200 people visiting Shell information belonged to school groups. Serious consultation with local people affected by the Corrib project is the critical stake. Why elsewhere and with people not immediately affected. Why is Shell carrying out consultations with children at all. Has any other private company met with school children about a conflictual project? The children of other parents are being harshly treated every morning to physically force Shell where is not wanted.

Is the Government going to hand over a new set of CAOs to a private company and is the reviewed project going to be in phased consents again? Any lessons learned? No one knows how to legally withdraw the CAOs imposed on the Rossport farmers according to the High Court. Thanks farmers for saving your families and your lands. You proved that intelligent and stubborn resistance sometimes pays off.

by Seán Ryan Tue Jan 23, 2007 19:10

I was at both sittings of the High Court recently. I'm afraid that on the first day I had to miss some of the hearing due to other Court commitments - my apologies to S2S and other friends.

Some very interesting things happened in the proceedings, especially on the second day.

The first thing that struck me was that Shell complained to the Judge (like a spoiled child) about the negative publicity it had received from various mainstream media outlets. This was on the second day of the hearing, and followed Shell's portrayal as having allowed the Rossport 5 to languish in jail for more than three months, eventhough they new that work on the pipeline would not continue that year. This was possibly the only decent criticism of Shell offered by the Irish MSM since the Rossport men were jailed. Things are put into perspective when one compares this hurt inflicted on Shell with the hurt inflicted on and which continues to be inflicted upon the people of Mayo.

Shell went at great length to put its vapid and lengthy legal argument to the Court. Their whole argument can be summed up very succinctly. Shell want to drop the case. Shell say that they are re-routing the pipeline and that therefore any further argument to do with the current proposed pipeline is 'moot' or academic. Shell says that the Rossport 5 are still in contempt of Court and that this is the reason for the change of heart with regard to the re-routing of the proposed pipeline (way to go S2S). They say that the issue of the CAO's (compulsary aqquisition orders) is also a 'moot' issue, due to the fact that the re-routing will mean that the CAO's will no longer be an issue - and more importantly they argue that because the current CAO's are no longer an issue that the court has no business making any ruling in regard to them - i.e. their validity and whether they comply with Constitutional law.

What really sickens me with Shell's legal argument is that they insist that the Rossport 5 are in contempt of Court, but allege that they are a law - abiding and a law - respecting company. They say they wish to drop the case but still make legal argument that attempts to vilify the Rossport 5. They also told the court that they intend to serve new CAO's on other unsuspecting and undeserving landholders after 'more consultation.' This to me, shows that contrary to its own arguments that Shell has nothing but contempt for either Irish people or Irish law. After all on the one hand they are saying that the legal issues surrounding CAO's are academic, but on the other hand they are saying, and they are saying so blatantly, that they could well be starting the whole legal charade once again when the successors to the Rossport 5 rise up and refuse to be bullied frome their homes and their heritage. Lord Brennan ( QC hired acting on behalf of two of the S2S litigants) summed this up beautifully by saying to the court that Shell's need to prosecute the Rossport 5 was a commercial act, just as their subsequent want to withdraw from the proceedings was also a commercial act. This was part of his argument that went against Shell being awarded its costs or being allowed to slink off and restart the whole debacle at a later date.

I think the proceedings are going very well and that the case is currently favouring S2S. Justice Lafoy seems both very fair and very able and is keeping very current with each and every argument made. And finally, Shell and the State have been told to hand over paperwork to the S2S legal team, after the Judge granted a discovery order - finally!

I realise that this article was not written with a view to focussing exclusively on the ongoing legal battle, it's just that the court case is important and it's provided a very neat picture of the ongoing actions of the Gardaí - thanks to Lord Brennan.

The ongoing actions of the Gardaí have nothing whatsoever to do with either justice or duty. The ongoing actions of the Gardaí are rooted solely in commerce and Greed.

They truely are Shell's cops.

by belmullet Tue Jan 23, 2007 20:30

Great work guys.
I am just wondering if shell loses this court case what will happen next?
Will thay have to stop construction and go to sea or will they appeal it to a higher court.
Hopefully they will never return to our land and the next court case will be against shells cops
For assulting peaceful concerned local protesters.
Keep up the god work guys

by related link Tue Jan 23, 2007 20:42

The Role of the Gardai -