The Release & Homecoming of Pat 'The Chief' O'Donnell - Photo Essay
mayo |
rights, freedoms and repression |
feature
Monday July 19, 2010 11:48
by FSB! - Rossport Solidarity Camp

Selected photographs of the triumphant homecoming of a Hero and Friend!
The Chief is free!!
Erris was abuzz with joy and merriment as one of her finest sons, Pat 'the Chief' O'Donnell was freed from Castlerea Prison yesterday after 158 days of Shell-decreed incarceration. He was met by an ecstatic group of well-wishers outside the prison and was piped off the prison precincts after speeches by himself, Maura Harrington, and a message of support from Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, Mayor of Roscommon County Council.
Related Links:
Indymedia:
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The Pipe - Film about the shell protest |
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Shell to Sea campaigner Niall Harnett sentenced to 5months in jail |
27 Shell to Sea campaigners face court "special sitting" |
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Erris Rally of Solidarity with 'the Chief' Pat O'Donnell |
Joe Higgins MEP visits 'Shell To Sea' Activist, Pat O'Donnell, In Castlera Prison |
Eoin O'Leidhin - Interview |
Erris Sinn Féin Councillor criticises jailing of activist |
Another Shell to Sea Campaigner Imprisoned |
Shell retreats as solidarity with Pat O'Donnell continues |
Mary O`Donnell interview |
Video: S2S Solidarity with jailed Pat o'Donnell |
Audio: Shell to Sea protests against jailing of fisherman Pat O'Donnell at Shell HQ |
Court Report from Mayo |
Shell Corrib Gas - Who are the real Thugs & Bullies? |
Pat o'donnell - "Hero and Friend" not "Bully and Thug" |
Review of the week of Shell to Sea court hearings
Video:
The Release
Pat "the chief" gives 'em hell june 2009
Pat "the chief" interview june 2009
Those who dance (part1of 5) |
(part 2) |
(part 3) |
(part 4) |
(part 5)
Join the cause:
Shell to sea website |
Rossport Solidarity camp website
Pat then returned to his native Porturlin in a motorcade via Ballyhaunis, Claremorris, Castlebar, Foxford, Ballina, Killala and Ballycastle. In Castlebar and Ballina he was piped through the main streets to the appreciation of passers-by. At Glenamoy Cross, Pat left his car to enter the joyful embrace of his friends, neighbours and supporters who had waited several hours for his return. After half an hour there of being welcomed back, Pat and the motorcade made the final leg of the journey home to Porturlin, where the whole village was assembled round a roaring bonfire to welcome their valiant neighbour back to his home patch.
Today, Pat attended the Street Feast outside McGuire's in Pollatomish, and there he thanked the many friends and supporters who kept his spirits up while imprisoned, and the many friends he made while in prison, and reminded people to keep up the support for Niall Harnett, another prisoner of Shell now jailed for his 89th day. the well-attended Street Feast made a fitting end to a most joyful weekend in Erris.
The Chief Abú!

Assembling before Pat's release celebration, Castlerea

Heading into the prison

Pat being embraced by his wife Mary

Pat speaking to his well-wishers outside Castlerea Prison
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Comments (15 of 15)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15More photos from the joyful day.
Ó Domhnaill abú - Scaoil Saor Niall!
Pat being chaired away from prison
Pat being piped away from Castlerea Prison
The prison is behind him now...
Pat O'Donnell and his family together in Castlerea
Like the Rossport 5 'The Chief' and Niall suffer for their desire to get to the truth. Government in Ireland (and most of the world) is no longer about truth, the constitution or serving the people, it is about serving corrupt interests of the elite and the corporations.
While people remain disunited and focus on individual or smaller issues such as animal cruelty, job losses, deportations etc. which are all symptomatic of a corrupt system we fail to address the root cause of all these issues - the complete failure of government as a system that is intended to serve and protect the people. Only a concerted effort by all concerned people will bring about a change at the highest level - ending the corrupt system so that the individual issues may be then dealt with.
The current format of piecemeal protest and resistance is akin to running around with a fly swatter while ignoring the stinking bucket of dung in the middle of the room that is causing the problem!
Another selection of photos chronicling Pat's triumphant return home. Please remember Niall Harnett, now 89 days in Castlerea Prison.
Banner at Pat's release celebration, Castlerea
Another banner at Pat's release celebration, Castlerea
Pat's motorcade being piped down Market St., Castlebar
Pat, banner and piper at Castlebar Courthouse
Pat's motorcade being piped through Ballina's Pearse St.
Another set of photos showing Pat's joyful homecoming.
The Chief at Glenamoy Cross - back home to the warm embrace of those who know him best...
...and a cuppa from Mary H!
The message is clear!
Pat - back in Porturlin
The bonfire and crowd to welcome him home to Porturlin
A final selection of photos from the joyful weekend.
Dancing at the Street Feast today
Pat dancing at the Street Feast today
Pat O'Donnell expressing his thanks to the people who stood by him at the Street Feast today
Fabulous photos of Pat's release, thanks for sharing. I really loved the dancing ones in particular. Full support to all of you from your friends at Tara.
O' Domhnaill Abú
Absolutely deadly to see The Chief out
Spreading the word over here in the US
Solidarity all Shell to Sea!
welcome home pat boy,fair play to you,you're an inspiration to us all!
keep it lit...........
Well done Pat, you're an absolute inspiration. I'm sorry I couldn't make it up to the celebrations when your seven months finally came to an end. I'm infuriated by the injustice done to you but also hopeful that with the help of people like you wrongs can (eventually) be made right.
And to anyone who hasn't yet seen 'The Pipe' documentary, make it a priority on your list of 'worthwhile, inspirational documentaries to watch'...it's just fantastic.
Solidarity and support being sent to Pat and all the Shell to Sea gang from Galway.
Ciara
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All pics © Michael Gallagher 2010
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More pics in slideshow format on Shell to Sea, workers issues, anti racism and anti war etc @:
http://myspace.com/libertypix
More info and the latest updates on the Shell to Sea campaign @: http;//shelltosea.com
Thank you for looking.
fantastic to see piccies of pat back where he belongs-
in the arms of his family and friends!! much love and respect to you pat.
WE Can Change The Course Of History Here In Ireland, So on Friday Please Be There @ Broad Haven Hotel In Belmullet on The Final day; unless of course it goes on to next week. The people of Erris can really make changes, if it's put before the Board of Inspectors where they hear the true stories of the Future of IRELAND, Thank YOU All Who took the time to put Submissions to Explain their thoughts to the ABP , With any Irish Luck we can all live happy ever after, with out the knowledge that sheeeee wosh the gas is leaking, Godbless :SEA U THERE
Bertie Ahern V Pat O`Donnell
Bertie confonted by Madam K & Pat`s homecoming,plus interveiw.
videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwgktMklJ0w
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing"
Evil will not triumph here because of good men such as Pat. The is no cause more noble than to stand up for others,
Wishing Pat and the entire community the strength to continue this fight.