Shell to Sea: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Guards force digger through crowd.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Members of [[An Garda Síochána]] and residents of [[Glengad]] and [[Barnacullew]] |
[[Image:Guards force digger through crowd.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Members of [[An Garda Síochána]] and residents of [[Glengad]] and [[Barnacullew]] a road (June 2007)]] |
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⚫ | '''Shell to Sea''' (in [[Irish language|Irish]], ''Shell chun Sáile'') is a campaign based in [[County Mayo]], [[Ireland]] which opposed the proposed construction of a high-pressure raw [[natural gas|gas]] [[gas pipeline|pipeline]] through [[Rossport]], and continues to oppose the ongoing construction by [[Royal Dutch Shell]] of a refinery |
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⚫ | '''Shell to Sea''' (in [[Irish language|Irish]], ''Shell chun Sáile'') is a campaign based in [[County Mayo]], [[Ireland]] which opposed the proposed construction of a high-pressure raw [[natural gas|gas]] [[gas pipeline|pipeline]] through [[Rossport]], and continues to oppose the ongoing construction by [[Royal Dutch Shell]] of a refinery at [[Bellanaboy]] intended to refine the untreated gas from the [[Corrib gas field]]. The stated aim of the campaign is that the gas be refined at sea, . |
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''"Shell to Sea is an international [[Nonviolence|non-violent]] campaign, rooted in the [[Erris]] community. We seek to ensure the proposed Corrib gas [[Refinery|terminal]] and pipeline are constructed offshore, as is best practice. In doing so we seek to highlight the negligent [[Social environment|environmental]], [[health]], safety, planning and economic consequences of this [[Irish government|government]]-backed plan. We are not the property of any party or movement and we disassociate ourselves from negative campaigning and tactics that many media outlets have attempted to associate us with. We have been campaigning for several years and continue to face [[intimidation]], [[slander]] and significant hardship as a result. However, we are growing in strength, numbers and confidence. We will remain peaceful, committed and determined in the coming days, weeks months - and years if necessary!"'' [http://www.corribsos.com/index.php?id=2&type=page] |
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poll Mayo January 2008 found that supported Shell to Sea’s campaign, 15 supported Shell and the government's plans, and 40 had no opinion. |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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Opposition to the gas consortium and [[Irish government|government]]'s plans among local residents grew during 2000, when many people felt they were not being given adequate answers to questions they had about a refinery and raw gas pipeline intended for their area. A [[Channel Four]] documentary stated that "huge pressure" had been exerted on [[Mayo County Council]]'s planning office to grant permission for the inland refinery. Due to a loophole in [[Irish law]] |
Opposition to the gas consortium and [[Irish government|government]]'s plans among local residents grew during 2000, when many people felt they were not being given adequate answers to questions they had about a refinery and raw gas pipeline intended for their area. A [[Channel Four]] documentary stated that "huge pressure" had been exerted on [[Mayo County Council]]'s planning office to grant permission for the inland refinery. Due to a loophole in [[Irish law]], no planning permission was necessary for the pipeline. The council duly granted permission, a decision that was immediately appealed to [[An Bord Pleanála]] (ABP) by local people and environmental groups. |
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After holding |
After holding two hearings, and producing a report on the refinery proposition, ABP refused permission in 2002. Setting another precedent, this decision was reversed in 2003 after political pressure from the [[Fianna Fáil]] government (see [[Corrib gas controversy]]). |
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Local landowners in [[Rossport]] were told that the raw gas pipeline would be coming through their lands |
Local landowners in [[Rossport]] were told that the raw gas pipeline would be coming through their lands would be [[Compulsory Acqusition Order]]s . Some agreed to allow Shell on their lands. Others refused, and [[Frank Fahey]], then [[Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Ireland)|Minister for the Marine & Natural Resources]] signed Compulsory Acquisition Orders. refused were threatened with legal action who were refusing to promise to allow Shell put the pipeline through their lands. They became known as the [[Rossport Five]]. |
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24-hour pickets on the Shell sites at Rossport, Bellanaboy and [[Glengad]] began. Rallies in support of the men's stance were held in major towns and cities, and Shell and Statoil filling stations were picketed. |
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==Motivation== |
==Motivation== |
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The campaign has a diverse support base, including people from many different political backgrounds and those with no strong politics at all. [[Werner Blau]], a [[physics]] professor at [[Trinity College, Dublin]], and part-time Rossport resident, told his neighbours that the pipeline intended for Rossport would not even comply with [[United States]] standards which were "pretty lax" |
The campaign has a diverse support base, including people from many different political backgrounds and those with no strong politics at all. [[Werner Blau]], a [[physics]] professor at [[Trinity College, Dublin]], and part-time Rossport resident, told his neighbours that the pipeline intended for Rossport would not even comply with [[United States]] standards which were "pretty lax"http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1530695,00.html. In its rankings of countries' facilitation of oil and gas companies, the [[World Bank]] rates Ireland in its highest, "very favourable" category, along with [[Pakistan]] and [[Argentina]]. By comparison, Nigeria is rated average. Mike Cunningham, a former director of Statoil, said: ''"No country in the world gives as favourable terms to the oil companies as Ireland."'' This is a result of legislation created by [[Ray Burke]], who served as Minister of Communications and Energy.[http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/0124/burker.html] |
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[[Image:S6300069.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Shell to Sea [[mural]] on a [[gable]] by the [[Glenamoy]] [[River]]]] |
[[Image:S6300069.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Shell to Sea [[mural]] on a [[gable]] by the [[Glenamoy]] [[River]]]] |
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People from the [[Niger Delta]] now resident in Ireland have been especially interested and supportive of the campaign, having had first-hand experience of living in an area that Shell has been active in, and many have visited the area to show support. A mural of [[Ken Saro-Wiwa]], who was executed after leading a campaign to reduce Shell's influence in [[Ogoniland]], has been painted on a gable in Rossport. |
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==Controversy== |
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There is also a belief amongst many people that the volume of resources declared are a fraction of those that really exist there, to prevent renegotiation by the Irish state of the less than favourable (to Ireland) terms of contract.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} |
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⚫ | has been that the [[List of IRAs|IRA]] or [[Sinn Féin]] control . This story has been encouraged by the former Minister for Justice [[Michael McDowell]], various national newspapers and local businessmen. Members of many different political groups are involved in the campaign, and prominent local Sinn Féin member Paddy Ruddy works for Shell. Most local campaigners are former Fianna Fáil and [[Fine Gael]] supporters, and Philip McGrath one of the Rossport Five used to be an election agent for Fine Gael leader [[Enda Kenny]]. |
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⚫ | - <ref>[http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1710340&issue_id=14795 Irish Independent 21st October 2006]</ref> of intimidation were also made by the Gardaí, been . Pro-Shell businessman and president of [[Belmullet]] [[chamber of commerce]] [[Derek Reilly]] told the media that what is being described as "intimidation" is actually [[boycott]]ing of pro-Shell businesses by Shell to Sea supporters. He told the [[Irish Times]]: ''"It has never been anything more serious than that, but that is serious enough."''http://www.corribsos.com/index.php?id=1105 |
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==Smear campaign== |
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⚫ | |||
Before this, the caricatures were of tree-hugging [[Hippy|hippies]] and "sub-intellectual" [[peasants]]. Stories of intimidation of project supporters have also been rife, but these have been rubbished by local Fine Gael [[TD]] [[Michael Ring]]. Ring was a staunch supporter of Shell to Sea until brought into line with the rest of the party by Enda Kenny. |
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⚫ | - <ref>[http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1710340&issue_id=14795 Irish Independent 21st October 2006]</ref> |
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[[Image:Terence and Bob's lock-on.jpg|thumb|right|400px|[[Lock-on]] at [[Bellinaboy]] Bridge, July 2007]] |
[[Image:Terence and Bob's lock-on.jpg|thumb|right|400px|[[Lock-on]] at [[Bellinaboy]] Bridge, July 2007]] |
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==Current Situation== |
==Current Situation== |
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Rossport Five were released in late 2005. a negotiator to arbitrate between the campaigners and Shell. As his remit did not include discussing the refinery, he was regarded as a distraction by Shell to Sea. The pickets at Bellanaboy continued for over a year, during which no work was done by Shell. |
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[[Image:Shell ireland protest.jpg|thumb|right|400px|A protester attempts to handcuff herself to a lorry removing [[peat]] from the refinery site at [[Bellinaboy]], April 2007]] |
[[Image:Shell ireland protest.jpg|thumb|right|400px|A protester attempts to handcuff herself to a lorry removing [[peat]] from the refinery site at [[Bellinaboy]], April 2007]] |
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On Tuesday September 26 |
On Tuesday September 26 2006, protesters prevented Shell's employees from entering the site of the intended refinery at Bellanaboy to begin work. Around 150 blocked the entrance to the refinery site and began to recite the [[rosary]]. The workers turned back after discussions with [[An Garda Síochána|Gardaí]].{{Fact|date=September 2007}} |
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One week later on the 3 |
One week later on the 3, Gardaí were brought in from around the country, which increased their numbers to around 170. The Gardaí protesters from the site gates and then off roads near Bellanaboy. tactics Irish Times reported: ''"The Garda baton charges that occurred on Friday morning in Bellanaboy were not the product of Sinn Féin or Provisional IRA machinations; they were the product of abject Government incompetence."'' to was . was to the .<ref>[http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=420&Itemid=38l "Mayo News" article 3rd October 2006]</ref></br> |
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With the daily protests at Bellanaboy continuing, protesters occupied [[Shell Ireland]] HQ on [[Dublin]]'s Leeson Street.<ref>[http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1011/corrib.html RTE news report 11th October]</ref></br> |
With the daily protests at Bellanaboy continuing, protesters occupied [[Shell Ireland]] HQ on [[Dublin]]'s Leeson Street.<ref>[http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1011/corrib.html RTE news report 11th October]</ref></br> |
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On the 12 |
On the 12 three people were arrested at the morning protests.<ref>[http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1012/corrib.html RTE news report 12th October 2006]</ref> |
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On Friday October 20th there was a large scale protest at Bellanaboy, and one protester was arrested and released without charge. <ref>[http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1020/morningireland.html RTÉ NEWS OCTOBER 20TH 2006]</ref> |
On Friday October 20th there was a large scale protest at Bellanaboy, and one protester was arrested and released without charge. <ref>[http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1020/morningireland.html RTÉ NEWS OCTOBER 20TH 2006]</ref> |
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in the http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1110/mayo.html. This was a result of [[Belmullet]] Superintendent [[Joe Gannon]]'s publicly stated policy of avoiding arresting protestors so as not to create "martyrs", leaving those under his command no option but physical force, which made some violence inevitable. |
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A second large scale protest march was planned for |
A second large scale protest march was planned for November , the anniversary of the execution of [[Ken Saro Wiwa]] and eight other anti-Shell activists in [[Nigeria]] in 1995. When protesters worked their way around lines, . Small groups of demonstrators who had been unable to get to the refinery attempted to blockade the nearby Lennon's quarry which supplies material for the construction of the site. <ref>[http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1110/mayo.html RTE News November 10th]</ref> |
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There was political controversy in Ireland about the use of such force on a peaceful demonstration. The [[Fianna Fáil]] [[Taoiseach]] [[Bertie Ahern]] said in a statement that the [[Irish government]]'s position was clear in relation to the Corrib gas situation - that the negotiating is over and "that is it". In relation to the policing of the protests, he and Opposition leader Enda Kenny would only reiterate that "the law must be obeyed". |
There was political controversy in Ireland about the use of such force on a peaceful demonstration. The [[Fianna Fáil]] [[Taoiseach]] [[Bertie Ahern]] said in a statement that the [[Irish government]]'s position was clear in relation to the Corrib gas situation - that the negotiating is over and "that is it". In relation to the policing of the protests, he and Opposition leader Enda Kenny would only reiterate that "the law must be obeyed". |
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A further large scale protest at Bellanaboy scheduled for November |
A further large scale protest at Bellanaboy scheduled for November was cancelled by the protesters for fear of . |
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[[Image:8806 greens2s 21nov06web.jpg|thumb|left|400px|Shell to Sea press conference, November 2006. Front (L-R):[[Martin Ferris]] [[Teachta Dála|TD]], [[Jerry Cowley]] TD, [[Joe Higgins]] TD, [[Trevor Sargent]] TD. Back: [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]] president [[Michael D. Higgins]] TD and [[Seanad|Senator]] [[David Norris (politician)|David Norris]].]] |
[[Image:8806 greens2s 21nov06web.jpg|thumb|left|400px|Shell to Sea press conference, November 2006. Front (L-R):[[Martin Ferris]] [[Teachta Dála|TD]], [[Jerry Cowley]] TD, [[Joe Higgins]] TD, [[Trevor Sargent]] TD. Back: [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]] president [[Michael D. Higgins]] TD and [[Seanad|Senator]] [[David Norris (politician)|David Norris]].]] |
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=== 2007 === |
=== 2007 === |
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June , five protestors chained themselves together outside the [[Bord na Móna]] facility in [[Srahmore]] near [[Bangor Erris]] where Shell have being dumping the peat removed from Bellinaboy. While Gardaí awaited the arrival of the [[fire brigade]] to cut through the protestors' sophisticated "[[lock-on]]", female a "[[cunt]]" . |
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[[Image:0493 shellhq 18may.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Demonstration and blockade at [[Royal Dutch Shell|Shell]]'s Irish HQ, [[Leeson Street]], [[Dublin]], May 2007]] |
[[Image:0493 shellhq 18may.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Demonstration and blockade at [[Royal Dutch Shell|Shell]]'s Irish HQ, [[Leeson Street]], [[Dublin]], May 2007]] |
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September , a protester from Dublin charged with public order offences has his case dismissed in [[Belmullet]] because of conflicting Garda evidence. September Judge Mary Devins the protest to [[Tiananmen Square]] in 1989, and demonstrations in Dublin by groups of farmers and taxi drivers which blocked traffic. She most of the charges and the five to community service for "reckless behavior". The judge also disclosed that she had been receiving letters about the campaign and the cases before her, some sent anonymously. <ref>[http://www.westernpeople.ie/news/story.asp?j=38192&cat=news "Western People" article 20th September 2007]</ref></br> |
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=== 2008 === |
=== 2008 === |
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In April 2008, a new group was set up by people formerly active in Shell to Sea. [[Pobal Chill Chomáin]] proposed moving the refinery to Glinsk, which would have removed the necessity to transport the raw untreated gas near people's homes and under roads, and also saved Shell the extra cost of refining offshore. The proposal was rejected by Shell. |
In April 2008, a new group was set up by people formerly active in Shell to Sea. [[Pobal Chill Chomáin]] proposed moving the refinery to Glinsk, which would have removed the necessity to transport the raw untreated gas near people's homes and under roads, and also saved Shell the extra cost of refining offshore. The proposal was rejected by Shell. |
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[[Image:Shell to Sea kayak training.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Shell to Sea kayak training, [[Glengad]], August 2008]] |
[[Image:Shell to Sea kayak training.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Shell to Sea kayak training, [[Glengad]], August 2008]] |
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In August 2008, Shell to Sea began training for marine protests in anticipation of the arrival of the [[Allseas]] pipe-laying ship ''[[Solitaire (ship)|Solitaire]]'', the biggest of its kind in the world. The Shell to Sea fleet was composed mostly of inflatable dinghies and kayaks, but also included a small sailboat, a [[currach]], and two [[rigid-hulled inflatable boat]]s, one of which was used purely as a safety boat |
In August 2008, Shell to Sea began training for marine protests in anticipation of the arrival of the [[Allseas]] pipe-laying ship ''[[Solitaire (ship)|Solitaire]]'', the biggest of its kind in the world. The Shell to Sea fleet was composed mostly of inflatable dinghies and kayaks, but also included a small sailboat, a [[currach]], and two [[rigid-hulled inflatable boat]]s, one of which was used purely as a safety boat. |
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[[Image:Kayakers board Solitaire.jpg|thumb|left|300px|A member of a five-man team guards the boats while his colleagues board the pipe-laying ship ''[[Solitaire (ship)|Solitaire]]'', [[Killybegs]], September 2008]] |
[[Image:Kayakers board Solitaire.jpg|thumb|left|300px|A member of a five-man team guards the boats while his colleagues board the pipe-laying ship ''[[Solitaire (ship)|Solitaire]]'', [[Killybegs]], September 2008]] |
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In the meantime, [[Porturlin]] fisherman |
In the meantime, [[Porturlin]] fisherman laid 800 crab pots along the intended path of the Solitaire, and defended them from Shell survey boats which attempted to remove them. Two [[Irish Navy]] arrived in Broadhaven Bay to assist the [[Garda Water Unit]] in dealing with the protests. The Solitaire was boarded by Shell to Sea activists in [[Killybegs]] and asked not to come to Mayo. Not long after it arrived to Mayo's coast, the ship's company said it had suffered damage to its crane. It returned to Donegal, where it remains. |
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[[Image:Guardians of the fence.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Members of [[An Garda Síochána]] and [[Naas]]-based [[Integrated Risk Management Services]] guard a section of fence on Glengad beach which had been openly destroyed by a group of forty people in |
[[Image:Guardians of the fence.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Members of [[An Garda Síochána]] and [[Naas]]-based [[Integrated Risk Management Services]] guard a section of fence on Glengad beach which had been openly destroyed by a group of forty people in September 2008]] |
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[[Image:Iollan's "arrest".jpg|thumb|left|300px|Iollan Ó'Mongáin, son of [[hunger strike]]r [[Maura Harrington]], is detained by four Gardaí |
[[Image:Iollan's "arrest".jpg|thumb|left|300px|Iollan Ó'Mongáin, son of [[hunger strike]]r [[Maura Harrington]], is detained by four Gardaí September 2008. A Shell security guard tapes the detention]] |
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==Gallery of campaign material== |
==Gallery of campaign material== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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<references/> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
Revision as of 20:21, 19 September 2008
This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2007) |
This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines. |
Shell to Sea (in Irish, Shell chun Sáile) is a campaign based in County Mayo, Ireland which opposed the proposed construction of a high-pressure raw gas pipeline through Rossport, and continues to oppose the ongoing construction by Royal Dutch Shell of a refinery at Bellanaboy intended to refine the untreated gas from the Corrib gas field. The stated aim of the campaign is that the gas be refined at sea, rather than inland.
A poll undertaken in Mayo in January 2008 found that 45% supported Shell to Sea’s campaign, 15% supported Shell and the government's plans, and 40% had no opinion[1].
Background
Opposition to the gas consortium and government's plans among local residents grew during 2000, when many[who?] people felt they were not being given adequate answers to questions they had about a refinery and raw gas pipeline intended for their area. A Channel Four documentary stated that "huge pressure" had been exerted on Mayo County Council's planning office to grant permission for the inland refinery. Due to a loophole in Irish law, no planning permission was necessary for the pipeline. The council duly granted permission, a decision that was immediately appealed to An Bord Pleanála (ABP) by local people and environmental groups.
After holding two hearings, one being the norm, and producing a report on the refinery proposition, ABP refused permission in 2002. Setting another precedent, this decision was reversed in 2003 after political pressure from the Fianna Fáil government[citation needed] (see Corrib gas controversy).
Local landowners[who?] in Rossport were told that the raw gas pipeline would be coming through their lands. They would be subject Compulsory Acqusition Orders if unable to reach a deal with Shell[citation needed]. Some[who?] agreed to allow Shell on their lands. Others refused, and Frank Fahey, then Minister for the Marine & Natural Resources signed 34 Compulsory Acquisition Orders. Those who had refused were threatened with legal action, eventually brought against five protesters, who were sentenced to jail indefinitely after refusing to promise to allow Shell put the pipeline through their lands. They became known as the Rossport Five.
24-hour pickets on the Shell sites at Rossport, Bellanaboy and Glengad began after their jailing[citation needed]. Rallies in support of the men's stance were held in major towns and cities, and Shell and Statoil filling stations were picketed[citation needed].
Motivation
The campaign has a diverse support base, including people from many different political backgrounds and those with no strong politics at all[citation needed]. Werner Blau, a physics professor at Trinity College, Dublin, and part-time Rossport resident, told his neighbours that the pipeline intended for Rossport would not even comply with United States standards which were "pretty lax"[2]. In its rankings of countries' facilitation of oil and gas companies, the World Bank rates Ireland in its highest, "very favourable" category, along with Pakistan and Argentina. By comparison, Nigeria is rated average. Mike Cunningham, a former director of Statoil, said: "No country in the world gives as favourable terms to the oil companies as Ireland." This is a result of legislation created by Ray Burke, who served as Minister of Communications and Energy.[1]
People from the Niger Delta now resident in Ireland have been especially interested and supportive of the campaign, having had first-hand experience of living in an area that Shell has been active in, and many have visited the area to show support[citation needed]. A mural of Ken Saro-Wiwa, who was executed after leading a campaign to reduce Shell's influence in Ogoniland, has been painted on a gable in Rossport.
Controversy
It has been claimed that the IRA or Sinn Féin have an element of control over the Shell to Sea campaign. This story has been encouraged by the former Minister for Justice Michael McDowell, various national newspapers and local businessmen[citation needed]. Members of many different political groups are involved in the campaign, and prominent local Sinn Féin member Paddy Ruddy works for Shell. Most local campaigners are former Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael supporters, and Philip McGrath, one of the Rossport Five, used to be an election agent for Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.
Before this, members of the campaign were caricatured as tree-hugging hippies and "sub-intellectual" peasants[citation needed]. Stories of intimidation of project supporters have also been rife, but these have been rubbished by local Fine Gael TD Michael Ring. Ring was originally a staunch supporter of Shell to Sea until but now opposes their actions[3]. Allegations of intimidation were also made by the Gardaí, though there have been no arrests made or individuals questioned. Pro-Shell businessman and president of Belmullet chamber of commerce Derek Reilly told the media that what is being described as "intimidation" is actually boycotting of pro-Shell businesses by Shell to Sea supporters. He told the Irish Times: "It has never been anything more serious than that, but that is serious enough."[4]
Current Situation
The Rossport Five were released in late 2005. Peter Cassells was appointed as a negotiator to arbitrate between the campaigners and Shell. As his remit did not include discussing the refinery, he was regarded as a distraction by Shell to Sea. The pickets at Bellanaboy continued for over a year, during which no work was done by Shell.
On Tuesday September 26 2006, protesters prevented Shell's employees from entering the site of the intended refinery at Bellanaboy to begin work. Around 150 locals and protesters blocked the entrance to the refinery site and began to recite the rosary. The workers turned back after discussions with Gardaí.[citation needed]
One week later on the October 3, extra Gardaí were brought in from around the country, which increased their numbers to around 170. The Gardaí removed protesters from the site gates and then off roads near Bellanaboy. The Gardaí used stronger tactics than usual, the Irish Times reported: "The Garda baton charges that occurred on Friday morning in Bellanaboy were not the product of Sinn Féin or Provisional IRA machinations; they were the product of abject Government incompetence."[citation needed] No protesters were arrested due a policy to ensure no protester was made a "martyr". One woman was brought to hospital during the day.[5]
With the daily protests at Bellanaboy continuing, protesters occupied Shell Ireland HQ on Dublin's Leeson Street.[6]
On the October 12, three people were arrested at the morning protests.[7]
On Friday October 20th there was a large scale protest at Bellanaboy, and one protester was arrested and released without charge. [8]
Confrontations described as "serious" occurred in the subsequent weeks[9]. This was a result of Belmullet Superintendent Joe Gannon's publicly stated policy of avoiding arresting protestors so as not to create "martyrs", leaving those under his command no option but physical force, which made some violence inevitable.
A second large scale protest march was planned for November 10, the anniversary of the execution of Ken Saro Wiwa and eight other anti-Shell activists in Nigeria in 1995. When protesters worked their way around Gardaí lines, clashes occurred, resulting in several injuries. Small groups of demonstrators who had been unable to get to the refinery attempted to blockade the nearby Lennon's quarry which supplies material for the construction of the site. [10]
There was political controversy in Ireland about the use of such force on a peaceful demonstration. The Fianna Fáil Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said in a statement that the Irish government's position was clear in relation to the Corrib gas situation - that the negotiating is over and "that is it". In relation to the policing of the protests, he and Opposition leader Enda Kenny would only reiterate that "the law must be obeyed".
A further large scale protest at Bellanaboy scheduled for November 24 was cancelled by the protesters for fear of further injuries sustained in clashes with Gardaí.
2007
On June 5, five protestors chained themselves together outside the Bord na Móna facility in Srahmore near Bangor Erris where Shell have being dumping the peat removed from Bellinaboy. While Gardaí awaited the arrival of the fire brigade to cut through the protestors' sophisticated "lock-on", a superintendent allegedly called a female protester a "cunt"[citation needed].
On September 12, a protester from Dublin charged with public order offences has his case dismissed in Belmullet because of conflicting Garda evidence. On September 13, Judge Mary Devins likened the protest to Tiananmen Square in 1989, and demonstrations in Dublin by groups of farmers and taxi drivers which blocked traffic while delivering a verdict on the protesters who had chained themselves together in June. She dismissed most of the charges and sentenced the five to community service for "reckless behavior". The judge also disclosed that she had been receiving letters about the campaign and the cases before her, some sent anonymously. [11]
2008
In April 2008, a new group was set up by people formerly active in Shell to Sea. Pobal Chill Chomáin proposed moving the refinery to Glinsk, which would have removed the necessity to transport the raw untreated gas near people's homes and under roads, and also saved Shell the extra cost of refining offshore. The proposal was rejected by Shell[citation needed].
In August 2008, Shell to Sea began training for marine protests in anticipation of the arrival of the Allseas pipe-laying ship Solitaire, the biggest of its kind in the world. The Shell to Sea fleet was composed mostly of inflatable dinghies and kayaks, but also included a small sailboat, a currach, and two rigid-hulled inflatable boats, one of which was used purely as a safety boat.
In the meantime, a loca Porturlin fisherman laid 800 crab pots along the intended path of the Solitaire, and defended them from Shell survey boats which attempted to remove them. Two Irish Navy ships arrived in Broadhaven Bay to assist the Garda Water Unit in dealing with the protests. The Solitaire was boarded by Shell to Sea activists in Killybegs and asked not to come to Mayo. Not long after it arrived to Mayo's coast, the ship's company said it had suffered damage to its crane. It returned to Donegal, where it remains.
Gallery of campaign material
The Shell to Sea campaign has generated a lot of creative campaign material.
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Poster of Mohandas Gandhi, Michael Davitt and Martin Luther King, Jr. at Shell to Sea campaign HQ, Bellanaboy
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Mural of Ken Saro Wiwa unveiled in Erris, November 2005
Shell to Sea hunger strike
On the 9th of September 2008, Shell to Sea campaigner Maura Harrington began a hunger strike to coincide with the arrival of the Solitaire, the Allseas pipe-laying vessel, in Broadhaven Bay. Harrington is the principal of Inver Primary School, by Broadhaven Bay. [12]
References
- ^ http://www.mayoadvertiser.com/index.php?aid=18
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1530695,00.html
- ^ Irish Independent 21st October 2006
- ^ http://www.corribsos.com/index.php?id=1105
- ^ "Mayo News" article 3rd October 2006
- ^ RTE news report 11th October
- ^ RTE news report 12th October 2006
- ^ RTÉ NEWS OCTOBER 20TH 2006
- ^ http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1110/mayo.html
- ^ RTE News November 10th
- ^ "Western People" article 20th September 2007
- ^ http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0910/breaking8.html?via=mr
See also
- Controversies surrounding Royal Dutch Shell
- Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People
- Rossport Five
- Rossport Solidarity Camp
- Royal Dutch Shell safety concerns