Bellanaboy Day 113.

by Eve Wed Jan 24, 2007 13:05

THE STATE OF IRELAND: THE AFFRAY AT BELMULLET, CO MAYO.
FROM A SKETCH BY A. O KELLY

Our special artist, Mr A O'Kelly contributes a sketch of the deplorable affray which took place on Friday 28th at Grawhill near Belmullet in the county Mayo on the north west coast of Ireland. The hamlet of Grawhill, perched on the side of a mountain overlooking the Atlantic, with the entrance to Broadhaven Bay and Blind harbor, the bold cliffs of Erris Head and the distant islands, consists of about a dozen houses of the meanest and poorest class. It appears that the police, about sixty in number, were accompanying a process-server who was about to serve summonses for the rates. The people of the neighbourhood, seeing the police approaching gathered to the number of three hundred. When the police were ascending the mountain path that leads to the village they were assailed by the crowd from the heights above with a shower of stones. The police charged them up the hill several times but they returned to the assault. The sub inspector in command at length gave the order to fire which was obeyed and some of the shots took effect, but even after some of the rioters were wounded they did not retire. Twenty four shots were fired. An elderly woman who received a wound in the throat and a charge of buckshot in the chest, is dead, and a young woman who received a bullet in the left side. Many others were less seriously wounded. Several of the police were injured. More than twenty persons were arrested and sent to Castlebar jail.

by B G Wed Jan 24, 2007 13:42

Other than the cops not having guns, they still blindly obey orders to rob the locals on behalf of faceless power.

Amazing stuff there for over 100 days. Keep it up, with the election coming along, we should build it to a real shit storm.

Beir Bua.

by Garda Rotten Apples - Sinn Fein Wed Jan 24, 2007 16:05

I wonder would it be legal to approach pubs and buisnesses etc where rogue (ie Agressive, Corrupt, Overly Conservative Baton Useres etc) Gardai frequent and plead with business owners to refuse entry to these dispicable characters who represent no one but themselves until their unacceptable behaviour towards law abiding Shell to Sea campaigns and the Irish population stops for once and for all. This so called police force is a disgrace to the decent individuals wihin this facist organisation who genuinely would like to provide a police SERVICE to the irish people. Just curious and wondering would a boycott finally see a change in attitude of this far right
force.

by Seán Ryan Wed Jan 24, 2007 16:16

Pubs etc. often reserve the right to refuse admission. It is certainly ok to talk with them about this. I suppose the only danger that might rear its ugly head is the issue of discrimination. But since many of the protesters have complained about some Gardai smelling of alcohol during confrontations, discrimination is not really an issue.

A good idea by the way. Shops, hotels, garages, restaraunts and many others also have the right to refuse admission.

by Garda Rotten Apples - Sinn Fein Wed Jan 24, 2007 16:59

Good point Sean! As a child I remember drunken members of the free state police agents shouting out the window at me that I was a no good fenian bastasrd, I did not even know what a Fenian was! :)
When my father would chase the special branch with a pitchfork I soon learned what a Fenian was! :) What a legend, maybe even a warrior! Maybe the Shell to Sea Campaigners could get a few plastic pitch forks as a symbol of Irish resistance to Shell. :)
Drunken gardai are not what our modern society should tolerate today and I believe now that the Irish people are beginning to rise against the numerous negative elements within this anti-people force, it is time they should be ostrasised and persuaded to seek help for their wicked ways. Its a pity we had a civil war and ended up with this nazi force, lets not make the mistakes they did and together we will hopefully build a nation to be truely proud of.
Good luck to the proud people of Mayo, you will win this battle!

by Ted - :') Wed Jan 24, 2007 19:00

Is it any wonder that the good people of this country are no more interested in this campaign, when yet again we see references which have little or no connection with shell being slipped in to the shell to sea campaign?
Akin to drowning rats, desperate to attach them selves to anything that comes along.

What next…..the country awaits the next bizarre installment!

by Garda Rotten Apples. - Sinn Fein. Wed Jan 24, 2007 19:19

Well Ted, if you took time and carried out a poll of peoples opinion on the Shell to Sea campaign you just might be surprised! :)
I beg to differ that rogue Gardai and this campaign are not connected. Your opinion on this particular police force may be hugely different from mine, however the facts of garda brutality are there to be debated.
The only rats I can smell is your obvious support for shell and the gardai. :)

by Ted - ;') Wed Jan 24, 2007 19:38

Rotten

Unfortunately I have not the time to carry out an opinion poll due to work commitments; however I’m sure there are plenty of professional protestors in bellinaboy who have plenty of time on their hands to undertake such a task. Then again if the results were proved unfavorable to the campaign would it be translated in to people being unable to voice their opinion due to fear of garda harassment, etc etc?
Regarding your point on rouge gardai, is also not the case that there are also rouge elements amongst the rank of the so called local protestors.

by Rotten Garda Apples - Sinn Fein Wed Jan 24, 2007 20:01

Thats understandable Ted if your working and cant conduct a poll to satisfy your interest in this campaign, try using google if you get an hour and see what results you come up with.
Are you still insinuating that garda abuse and this campaign are not connected. I think they are linked.
As for rogue garda I, like 100s of thousands could easily write a book on, ask me a question.
As for professional protesters you should take time to visit the protesters and ask them, its obvious they are trying to protect natural resourses and the safety of local people.

by Best poll Wed Jan 24, 2007 20:09

I think that the best poll would be the general election!
And I am not the only one thinking that, several erris people have said that s2s should put someone forward,so we can tell them what the majority of erris and mayo thinks of their protest .
An election will be the perfect oppurinity for a real poll on shell to sea, and their protests.
The vast majority of the people of mayo and erris,are the same as the vast majority of people everywhere, They are pragmatists and will put their own intrests first.
of course if the pipe and refinery was built in their village they would be objecting, and of course they have empathy for the people of rossport/bellenaboy.
but when it comes down to it they want work/money/progress.
So if s2s are confident that they have even 30% support in mayo, then this is the perfect oppurtunity for them to either put up or shut up!
What are the chances that they will run somebody?
Answer= slim to none

by Erris Wed Jan 24, 2007 20:10

I'm a supporter of the S2S campaign, i'm originally from the area. I could understand your sceptisism or dislike of this campaign, because the real information and facts are not getting out to the public. And as result, the campaign comes across as a bunch of people ranting and raving. What is happening at the gates of Bellinaboy is a disgrace and scary. The average person would believe what the gardai said, which is that the protestors attacked the gradai first. There is still a lot of respect for the gardai out there. If I knew nothing in relation to this project, I'd believe the guards before the protestors.

The truth is that at 730 in the morning, the gardai knew the american film crew which was there wouldn't see anything, because it was 2 dark. They immediately singled out the O' Donnell brothers and tried to drag them out of the crowd, the crowd tried to pull them back and the rest of the gradai laid into them. While pinning one of the brothers, one garda proceeded to repeatedly punch him in the face. It was noticed that a number of gardai including this offending one had removed their identification numbers. He was asked for his name and I believe under law he was to give his name, but the garda refused. There is video evidence of the protestors asking for the garda in charge of the force on the ground. There was none, contrary to what Supt. Joseph Gannon stated.

All I ask Ted is that you research all the info and be wary of the proproganda which is out there. You might say, what I have just said is proproganda. If you are wary of what I just said, then thats a start at least. This entire gas project needs to be reviewed with both the concerns of the local community and the needs of the developer (Shell) taken into equal consideration. This is genuinely not happening and with elements of the media, the gardai, the entire government and the main opposition party behind it, what we are up against is frightening.

by Joe Wed Jan 24, 2007 20:36

Thanks for the report - I nicked the 1881 illustration and the text you transcribed and have posted it as an introduction to the reports from the London anarchist paper Freedom we have archived on the WSM site written by their correspondent in Ireland during the land struggle. I cleaned it up a bit as well, its at http://www.wsm.ie/story/1509

by shell to sea supporter Wed Jan 24, 2007 21:10

More posters please. With two public events coming up in February I would appeal to the organisers of each to poster very large and clear messages on what Shell To Sea wants in each of these events. Am I to understand that stoppage of work on terminal is priority - who is the priority person to whom that is addressed.It can be as few as 3 messages postered dozens of times. This is the only way the public can be informed and the media mutiply it. By the way on the poster for the 24th please add on Dublin to Parnell Square.

by Ted - ;') Wed Jan 24, 2007 22:39

Rotten,

You and many others may have had first hand experience of garda harassment and have every right to show distain towards the force, however you generalisation of the force in your last instance is well of the grid.
You comment only consolidates the public opinion that the protestors have lost the run of themselves; it only highlights the lack of direction, and creditability.
It has left its self open to various disaffected groupings and individuals who somehow attach themselves to weathered threads of the campaign.
This dream put forward by some of the supporters that they have a majority of support through mayo and the country is laughable, I say if the confident why not run some candidates in the upcoming elections.
Some how I think that this is a non runner, as another poster put it:
Not elected, the vote was rigged …

by logic Wed Jan 24, 2007 23:18

It is reassureing to see s2s supporters post something sensible.
But one has to ask "if the rank and file members of s2s can see that the confrontation at the refinery is showing them in a negitive light, why contuniue to make the same mistake over and over again"?
I find it very hard to beleive "A TELLSHOES" when they imply s2s might run someone in the election.
I think s2s knows better than most that they would be destroyed if they done that.
the locals are telling them "what they want to hear" when they speak to them but behind the scenes the vast majority of the locals and the country are wishing they would go away.
I gaurantee this is a fact, and if you dont beleive me then run someone or bace a candatade (crowley ?) you can be his poison chalice!

And to erris if it was too dark to get a picture of the unprovoked attack on the brothers how come there is a pictures of both of them on the s2s website immmeditly after the "assault"?

by Garda rotten Apples - Sinn Fein Thu Jan 25, 2007 04:35

Ted, I see you refer to me as rotten and not Garda Rotten Apples :) I appreciate humour.
I am a supporter of s2s and that is my reason for commenting on the posting of article of an 'affray in somewhere in Mayo 1881.'
As far as elections or any other issue concerning this campaign you should ask someone else here that would be more informed than myself.
As a member of Sinn Fein I have been to some protests, however I am speaking here in a personal capacity.
My generalisation of your beloved and corrupt Garda force is my opinion and no one elses.
They came from a civil war era and have still got a pollitical bias against many of the people they claim to be protecting.
I think they need to change their attitude and get their finger out of all those pies if they are to be seen as a credible and modern police service.
What is your opinion on the Garda battoning the s2s campaigners off the street Ted.
All the best.

by Ted - :') Thu Jan 25, 2007 05:11

I'm a supporter of the S2S campaign; I’m originally from the area. I could understand your skepticism or dislike of this campaign, because the real information and facts are not getting out to the public.

Not getting out to the public, that’s laughable …… in 2005 the vast majority of public opinion supported the shell to sea campaign , we all took our hats off to 5 men who stood up against a large multi national concern. We were also made aware of how this company intended to ride rough shot over a small rural community who had genuine concerns of a production pipeline running adjacent to homes and farms. This stand placed the government and shell on the back foot, to extract themselves form this juncture they had to change their approach, the advantica report was commissioned to look in to the project and peter casells was brought in to the loop to work at local level.
On publication of the reports the shell made it known pubically that they would adhere to the findings and recommendations, while shell to sea rubbished the findings, in addition to this shell also stated pubic ally on numerous occasions that they wished to meet with the shell to sea grouping to discuss concerns, again this was rubbished by shell to sea who refused to meet.
By refusing to enter in to talks with shell the campaign started to slip away from the middle ground, we all know that the only way to resolve conflict is to communicate; we only have to look up the road.

And as result, the campaign comes across as a bunch of people ranting and raving. What is happening at the gates of Bellinaboy is a disgrace and scary.

To be honest it looks comical at times, grown men and women chanting “shell cops “at the garda, you wouldn’t see that in a national school playground. Not to mention the eco warrior blow ins who claim they are local; I’m Orish, with an English twang.

The average person would believe what the gardai said, which is that the protestors attacked the gardai first. There is still a lot of respect for the gardai out there. If I knew nothing in relation to this project, I'd believe the guards before the protestors.

Respect for the gardai , that’s questionable , just read some of the posting on this indymedia , scum, pigs , shell cops .Cars getting used a battering rams against police lines , im sure if you intent was to protest on a peaceful manner , with out obstructing the workers to the terminal and making general nuisances of yourselves you would be left well alone.

The truth is that at 730 in the morning, the gardai knew the American film crew which was there wouldn't see anything, because it was 2 dark. They immediately singled out the O' Donnell brothers and tried to drag them out of the crowd, the crowd tried to pull them back and the rest of the gradai laid into them. While pinning one of the brothers, one gardai proceeded to repeatedly punch him in the face. It was noticed that a number of gardai including this offending one had removed their identification numbers. He was asked for his name and I believe under law he was to give his name, but the garda refused. There is video evidence of the protestors asking for the garda in charge of the force on the ground. There was none, contrary to what Supt. Joseph Gannon stated.

Do the American cameras only work in daylight? I thought that country had every sort of conceivable gadget.
Getting back to the serious side again, why did the gardai single out these to men? And if the gardai wanted to chat to these men why did the crowd impede to gardai ?
There is no smoke with out fire.

All I ask Ted is that you research all the info and be wary of the proproganda which is out there. You might say, what I have just said is proproganda. If you are wary of what I just said, then that’s a start at least. This entire gas project needs to be reviewed with both the concerns of the local community and the needs of the developer (Shell) taken into equal consideration. This is genuinely not happening and with elements of the media, the gardai, the entire government and the main opposition party behind it, what we are up against is frightening.

Fair enough Erris, spin exists on both sides , however events have moved on from 2005 and I am afraid to say that campaign shot its self in the foot by refusing to talk, Grave mistake .

by Ted - :') Thu Jan 25, 2007 05:40

Hi Gra Sf

How are you,

I did not approve of the ugly scenes which took place prior to Christmas , both actions displayed by the garda and the protestors alike . Basically these actions are down to poor leadership in both government and at the upper echelons of the shell to sea campaign group. This protest should never have been allowed to get to this stage.
Can you only imagine what it makes us mayo people look like ?

All the Best

by Garda Rotten Apples - Sinn Fein Thu Jan 25, 2007 06:13

Hello ted, I am fine.
Its good to hear you disagree with police opening peoples' heads for protesting against the Governments brutal decisions in Mayo.
You may think my minority view of this facist force is bizzare, but that is the view many, many people the lenght and breath of this country and many of the 70 million Irish Dispora are fully aware of their track record towards Travellers, Republicans, Socialists and working class people to name a few. Countless Irish people have been terrified in this country of the Garda for decades, now is the time for them to return to us a service we deserve.
The list of Garda negative behaviour towards people who do not share their conservative views is endless Ted and takes away from the good work that civic minded decent guard do on a daily basis.
My gripe is the special branch and its negative impact in Irish politics and police duties, and like most Republicans continue to call for there exposure in its connection to British death Squads and any other activities directed against Irish unification.
Shell has bought the gardai and you know it Ted.
All the best to you and yours and I hope this pro british police force nevers goes through your personal belongings. I sincerely mean that!
One day the Irish people will have a decent police service, I would not hold my breath tho :)

.

by Peter Omensland - Observer Thu Jan 25, 2007 06:41

Just commenting on some of the possible Shell to Sea campaign grouping election policies which were posted by A Tellshoes .

1. The re negoiateion of the natural recourses terms and conditions.

This is a very valid point; however the means in which the campaign is pushing it is somewhat, backward. By targeting shell and claiming that they have robbed our gas (sts words) only localises the protest in the eyes of the general public. Why not target all exploration companies which have sizeable blocks along the west coast and take it from a local issue to a regional one, it easier to get noticed at a regional level that a local one .Would it not be more beneficial to investigate the possible fiscal rewards gained from all future exploration finds along the west coast of Ireland and highlight this. Im quite sure that the voting public along the western seaboard would be only too happy to support your cause when they could see the benefits accrued which could be used for health, infrastructure, and education in a region which does no exist as far as central government is concerned.
Getting back to the point, of re-neogation of the terms and conditions, this will not happen, can you honestly see the government going cap in hand looking to the exploration companies looking for more money. Highly unlikely, the only way out of this is to change all future licensing terms and conditions; something which I hope takes place.

The setting up of an Irish state owned oil / gas Exploration Company.

Interesting point , possibly worth looking in to , if Norway can do it and be successful at it, maybe it about time we should look at the options available, im sure there would be plenty of exploration companies only too willing to enter in to some type of joint venture with the state being the largest stake holder.

The Removal of Shell and other multinationals from mayo.

Where did you find this guy from, Serious, ok removing shell is one thing but removing all other multinationals from mayo, get a grip.

The complete halting of Us Militarily flights from Shannon and Knock.

Can’t answer.

Setting up of local independent boards to monitor the gardai.

Good point.

Setting up of self governing regions with in the west of Ireland.

If that is the case we won’t need independent boards to monitor the gardai, I m sure new regional police forces would have to be set up.

Introduction of free reparation for all exiles who wish to come home.

Good point, although jerry Crowley all ready does that.

by Ted - :') Thu Jan 25, 2007 07:00

Every one to their own Grasf,

Nevertheless, it is this desperate attachment to various threads of discontentment through out the country has only done more harm than good to the shell to sea campaign. Just look back at some of the comments which were posted last November when the national protest was called off at short notice.
There was a lot of unhappy folks about, and they were not from mayo…

by Garda rotten Apples. - Sinn Fein Thu Jan 25, 2007 07:29

Have not time at present to read november comments Ted but I believe people have a right to protest without your beloved police force beating them into submission. As for outsiders protesting for our Natural Resources (that could build hospitals etc) alongside the herocic Mayo people - I for one am proud of these people.
You sound like you have a chip on your shoulder for brave citizens who demand a better deal for the people of mayo and ireland.
Ted - you are conservative Ireland and control the police, media, etc... Does it ever occur to you that conservatism has failed the good citizens of mayo and further afield and that possibly one day you will loose. As my hero once said 'let our revenge be the laughter of our children'. I hope your future is brighter than our past.

by nothing leftist. Thu Jan 25, 2007 09:39

Much as I'd love to believe that S2S had huge support in Mayo, I'd bet my last euro that the next general election will return either 3FF/2FG or else 3FG/2FF in that constituency. If the Doctor manages to retain his seat he'll be doing well.

Sad state of affairs it is. But people knew about FF's allowing the US Military to land in Shannon (a much bigger issue back in its day), yet this had no impact on them in the mid-term local or euro elections, and it wont have any impact in May or June this year either.

If people re-elect the likes of Michael Lowry, and a convicted drink-driver Jim McDaid is a favourite to top the poll, is it any wonder that we get what we deserve? There'll never be any revolution here, because the public are too happy and stupid.

by Marlboro Man Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:00

I agree 100%

Apathy is the order of the day here. If people vote they employ tunnel vision disregarding the track record of the incumbent (USually FF/FG)and vote the way their parents did. Civil war politics are still at play in this country.
The national interest goes out the window and 'one up-manship' and cute hoorism' almost instinctively becomes paramount.

This is well known among FF and FG. Why do you think they are so arrogant?

by The Eskimo - Shell to Sea Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:47

Creating a P.R. Plan for Shell to Sea
So how can we create a PR Plan for the Shell to Sea Campaign ? To get started on a p.r. effort, there are three relatively simple steps we can all take:
I. Think through the audience
Our "audience" as a group will be made up of anyone with an interest or stake in the the corrib gas issue . It's likely that the audience will include the local media, your neighbours and surrounding community, local business, government regulators/agencies at several levels and yes Shell. And remember, audiences--friendly or not--have the power to communicate information about you.
"Public relations" is simply
accurate, consistent and timely communications
that convey the right message to the right audience.
II. Develop a p.r. plan
There is a need here for the Shell to Sea campaign to clear the third hurdle ( 1 cleared =shell release men) (2 cleared=shell concede rerouteing) the third hurdle for S2S is the winning of the PR battle. Therefore the current situation has allowed the protests to be portrayed as negative in the media. There is no need for this if S2S can evolve in light of cuurent events. This need not be complex. In simplest terms a p.r. plan consists of a few steps:
• Objectives--identify your goals and what you want to accomplish for your Campaign.
• Positioning--decide how you want to be perceived by your audiences. As the most trustworthy person to tell the true picture, or the most likely to have an ulterior motive.
• Key messages--prioritize the most important facts about the campaign.
Once you have developed these core concepts, you can create:
• Strategy--how you can accomplish your objectives. For example, you may adopt a strategy of marketing your campaign only to those in a certain age group. Or create the impression that your opinions are trustworthy.
• Tactics--the tools or means to carry out your plan. Speeches, articles, media outreach are all good tactics for the campaign.

The Campaign should never be intimidated by the media
They may need you and what you have to say about your side of the story..
III. Develop a relationship with and use the local media
Especially at local and regional levels, the media are always on the lookout for a new story, a different angle, a fresh approach and therefore, potentially interested in you and what your campaign is all about. These media outlets, charged with covering their communities, do not have the vast resources of celebrities, well-known experts and satellite feeds. They may very well need you and what you have to say about your field.

When your campaign gets a significant new development / event etc.,don't hesitate to call an appropriate reporter. You may not always get coverage, but you have nothing to lose by cultivating these relationships.

In your Campaign, what do you know, offer, produce, compile, interpret, provide, market, analyze, understand or do better than anyone else? Whatever it is, someone among those audiences wants to hear more about you.
P.R. includes community participation, by-lined articles,
public speaking, media commentary,
relationships with local area reporters
and development of good professional citizenship. I welcome any debate on this . The Eskimo !

by bob - bob Thu Jan 25, 2007 15:14

thought you mite find this link interesting:

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/11/355934.html

connecting struggles making them stonger

nice one

by shell to sea supporter Thu Jan 25, 2007 16:43

The Independent TD in the Mayo constituency of Shell to Sea has not been found wanting so the people are very fortunate. The response generally from sitting TDs has been weak enough. Would someone who was serious about this campaign want to get lost among them?
Really puzzled about why anyone would at the present time. Or what power they would have? Far better to engage the political system than to join one that is under such severe criticism at this time.

by Dr Nick Fri Jan 26, 2007 09:58

The eskimos post is the best post Ive ever seen on a rossport thread on this site. Its vitally important that shell to sea groups across the country use new pr stratergies to get people intrested in the Rossport issue.
Particularly this 'Key messages--prioritize the most important facts about the campaign'. Lets keep guarda brutality out of it this time,stick to the informijng people of the real issues.

by shell to sea supporter Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:33

Useful point about apathy! Take note when hoping for progress through elections. Signs not there.
Several TDs have visited Ballinaboy but do we hear a word from them since their visit?
The people have largely been informed but what is to be done to channel the information into campaign action. Action led by leadership now required.

by Carlo Giuliani Lives Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:40 carlogiuliani_lives at yahoo dot co dot uk

Breaking news: looks like the fascist lapdog EPA, handmaiden of the Government and Capitalists, has agreed to give uber-eco wreckers and killers of Ken Sarowiwa Shell E&P Ireland the green light to develop its €900 million gas refinery and combustion plant facilities at Bellanaboy.

RESIST!

by Fr Nick Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:58

No wonder Dr Nick wants to "keep garda brutality out of it", he/she has been a cheerleader for Gardai who batoned peaceful protesters in Mayo. You support the thugs in uniform, no wonder you don't want their behaviour exposed.

by Carismatic Fri Jan 26, 2007 14:19

Look at the way they left people with broken noses and scars on their faces. Whats becoming of our police force??

by cool j Sat Jan 27, 2007 04:01

1) The Director of the EPA has strong ties to IBEC and was appointed to the EPA while still working for them

2) The head of the incinerator licensing section at the EPA is a former senior employee with Indaver ireland - one of the biggest builders and operators of incinerators in the state with controversial plans for incinerators in Meath and Cork harbour

3) By approving the Bellanboy refinery the EPA have gone against a recent finding of the EU environmental directorate which stated that the irish government is in breech of a number of EU directives in relation to potential damage to Broadhaven Bay SAC by allowing Shell to run a discharge and high pressure raw gas pipe through the Bay.

4) The EPA have proven to be susceptible to political interference. Most notably in the case of Standish saw-mill near Leap-Castle Co. Offaly. In this case the owners of the saw-mill were convicted of contaminating a local stream, ground- water and wells supplying the nearby community with the highly toxic metal chromium. Despite failing to clean up their act the saw-mill was granted an extension to their operating licence by the EPA who were put under pressure to ignore the ongoing serious pollution problems by local PD junior minister Tom Parlon

5) The EPA have little or no enforcement powers - this was recently highlighted by the paltry fines handed down to Shannon based multi-national Schwartz Pharma at Ennis distirict court for ongoing serious breeches of various toxic emmisions standards as set down by their EPA operating licence. Fines totalling a meagre 10 thousand euros have been imposed over the last 2 years despite this company making a profit of over 250 million euro during the first half of this year alone. Despite all this the EPA still refuses to withdraw their operating licence while the company itself continues to break numerious national environemental standards and laws with apparent impunity.

6) The findings of an EPA study in the ongoing cattle deaths and health problems suffered by local people in the Askeaton area of Co. Limerick next to the giant Auginish ALuminia plant have been widly condenmed as a cover up by local community representives and a number of independent experts. The EPA bizzarly claimed cattle deaths were due to poor animal husbandry despite the fact that at least one of the farmers affected had in the past received numerious awards for quality pedigree breeding stock and general farm maintainance. They also ignored evidence that many of the cattle which died showed symtoms of exposure to excessive levels of caustic soda which happens to be the main polluting by-product produced by the giant ALuminium smelting plant at the nearby Auginish Island.

7) Only last week a Kilkenny farmer who's unexplained cattle deaths have been linked to a brick works factory run by Cement giant CRH announced that he was fed up over lack of action on his case by the EPA and Dept of Agriculture and is taking his case directly to Europe with the help of the local Green party.

Sadly there are many more examples up and down the country of the EPA wilfully failing to live up to their title.

by Mick Butler Sat Jan 27, 2007 21:07

Well it seems like the "P" in E. P. A. should stand for Pseudo : sham, spurious, not genuine, etc. I have read that this projected high pressure pipe would be ODOURLESS. Can anyone enlighten me as to the veracity of this point, or has some mechanism been discovered to effect odour if there is a leak ? Many Thanks. M B>

by Crippled since 10 NOV.06 - Family man with 3 children Mon Jan 29, 2007 23:30 oo

Still on cruches 11& 1/2 weeks, left knee destroyed, still in great deal of pain but I still go up to the protest because I know what shell and others have done the world over, and I do not want this to happen to our beautiful area, yes it's our area we live here right next to the so called safe refinery. There is a book called Riding the Dragon by Jack Dole which tells of the destrution that S/hell says will never happen, but when it does happen they S/hell say it was a tragic accident and our thoughts go to the familys who lost their love ones, but do S/hell really care NO..they have been fined 100s of millions for death and property damage never mind the countless plublic drinking water that has been contaminated. read this book before any more coments the S/hell are good for the people of Erris. They only think of their share holders, speaking of which there were a few around last week and the Garda were every where, you'd think if they had the people's consent why did they need? 3 Garda vans around the clock when they stayed down in a geesala hotel. some joke HuH?all I can say is I read the book and I know first hand what lies they tell after thry split the comunity, keeps every one at different directions so it makes it easyer for them to hood wink and just move in. My family has suffered because of s/hell cops and what they did to me. I have a autistic son who relys on me and my wife to help him but have been unable to help him like before 10 NOV. but I will survivetill next time. I'll be going to get my knee fixed at the surgons soon and I be back..peacefully ???

by shell? Mon Jan 29, 2007 23:53

cripple you seem bitter!
It was not shell threw you down that drain you said your self it was the garda.
why are you blaming shell because a garda hurt your leg?
if you have a book with all that info/detail bring it to the oral hearing by the EPA!

by blah Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:19

Guess who was named Mayo person of the year?

Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy. The people have clearly shown who they support

by Blah blah Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:31

Conroy was not selected by the people of Mayo and it is complete nonsense to suggest or even pretend he was. He was selected by a panel of adjucators. It was a really idiotic decision showing how "the powers that be" have no grounding in the community or even any rational decision making. Noel Conroy has come under severe criticism for his abject failure and to do anyhting about Gardaí corruption the length and breadth of this country and many accusations of Gardaí corruption involved him. The people of Mayo detest him as do the people in the rest of the country. What an embarassment for Mayo this "award" ceremony has become.

by blah Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:04

Complete nonsense to suggest that the people of mayo detest him. Have you conducted a poll?

by Blah blah Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:13

What a ridiculous little post you had there. You said the people have spoken refering to Conroy's award. This was horseshit as the people had absolutely no say in the award and you were making it up. I have never talked to anybody, anywhere who has any respect or any liking for that man Conroy. I don't need to conduct a poll and I suggest you go do a poll because you haven't a clue what anybody believes and just resort to making things up.

Heres one for you the people of Ireland have spoken they think the poster blah is talking horsehit. Now I have done a poll on that and it was an overwhelming 99.999999% in favour of the statment.

by mayo person Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:18

I am a mayo person, and i am one of many who are proud of Noel conroy.
He started at the bottom, and worked his way up through the ranks of the garda.
He is an example to all the people of mayo and the country.