Solidarity in Action, Cork with Mayo versus Shell

cork | environment | news report

Thursday June 16, 2005 16:22

by Rob Black - Cork Harbour Action Group

Blockade and info sharing at Shell depot and service station

On Monday morning seventeen members and supporters of the Cork Harbour Action Group (C.H.A.G) blockaded Shell’s Monaghans Rd distribution depot in Cork City.

This action succesfully prevented Shell delivery tankers from entering or leaving the premises for approximately one hour.
The action had begun earlier that morning at a Shell garage in the immediate vicinity of the depot where a loud and colourful presence was maintained on the forecourt while information was distributed to drivers and customers of the Shell shop. While attempts were made to contact the manager of the garage to explain the action there was unfortunately no-one available at that time.
The action then moved to the depot where after fruitless attempts were made to contact persons from Shell with whom we could negotiate the decision was taken to blockade.
For over four years the people of Erris, Mayo have been fighting a battle to prevent Shell from running a hazardous overland pipeline through their community. Not only does the pipeline that Shell are attempting to force through present a serious explosion risk but will also create severe environmental damage. Waste from the refinery that will be located at the end of the pipeline will be pumped into Broadhaven Bay. This waste will comprise lead, arsenic, and the radioactive gas radon. This toxic waste will remain within the bay area rather than being washed out to sea. Under E.U regulations Broadhaven Bay has been designated a special area of conservation. The bay also provides livelihoods for local communities in a region of high unemployment through fishing. The activities of Shell will devastate this industry. Shell have been accused by locals of taking a heavy handed, bullying approach and currently there is an injunction against seven local farmers preventing them from obstructing Shell from entering there lands.
In the Cork harbour area Indaver are attempting to build a hazardous waste incinerator against the wishes of the vast majority of the members of the local community and the wider Cork area.
It was in response to an understanding that these issues of environmental destruction and the potential serious health hazard posed by the two proposed projects are of concern to us all that C.H.A.G decided to act in solidarity with the people of Mayo. C.H.A.G believe that our greatest strength lies in acting in solidarity with others and will continue to act in accordance with this understanding.
In just over three weeks the G8 leaders will meet in Gleneagles, Scotland this is an opportunity for all of us to display our solidarity with the exploited and oppressed peoples of the world and C.H.A.G call on all those who can do so to travel to Scotland for the demonstrations and for those who cannot travel to organise local solidarity actions in their own communities.
For further info about either of these campaigns contact: Rob 0860536647/Tracey 0876543425
Next C.H.A.G meeting Fri 8pm C.A.Z – 61 Barrack st, Cork.

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Comments (5 of 5)

Shell's wild ideas

by Grainne Mc Hugh - Cork Harbour Action Group/Stop Shell

Thu Jun 16, 2005 16:42

The fact that Shell have an been granted a high court injunction preventing landowners from protecting their own land, means that locals who do try to stop Shell run the risk of going to jail. We are acting in solidarity with them to stop Shell's wild ideas, and we are calling for a countrywide awareness campaign asking all to think about what is at stake. We have linked this campaign in Mayo with the campaign against the toxic incinerator in Ringaskiddy as we believe that both are linked by the bullying of local communities by monster multinationals.
We handed out flyers, talked to the drivers and the staff at Shell who were quite friendly and supported their extra tea break, it was quite a block with three entrances blocked and no way for them to move, we blocked all trucks coming in and going out. We stayed one hour and made a good scene, left on a high note with gardai arriving as we left. We hope more actions will take place across the country as an act of solidarity with all who feel demonised by Shell.

Clare with Cork and Mayo versus Shell

by Niall

Thu Jun 16, 2005 16:51

Presence at Shell service station all day Monday too, giving flyers and chatting with customers and passers-by. Manager quite friendly and smiley, acknowledging commitment to a cause but with a polite request to refrain from approaching customers on the forecourt. No problem, got them as they left.

Limerick with Clare, Cork and Mayo versus Shell

by Anitya and Emily

Thu Jun 16, 2005 17:41

Leaflets being distributed in Limerick and emails sent to various mailing lists to inform people about what's going on in Mayo. Ideas and plans for further action in the pipeline, oooh don't like that word pipeline.

Help/bodies/support/ideas needed, please contact us.
For list of regional co-ordinators and contact details click below:

franchisee of 12 shell petrol stations

by Christopher Jones - franchisee of garage - shell uk ltd

Fri Nov 24, 2006 17:32

cf40 1en house number 12

07778557824

i am realy pissed off about the protesters shutting down my forecourt on that day and as you qouted the site manager was pleased to let this happen to my garage and make me lose my sales for the time closed she has since been sacked and the staff on duty have also been sacked.

however i do support you and your findings but please leave the following shell petrol stations alone as money is tight enuf as it is as shell is takeing retailers 50% of profets belive me we do realy moan and shout at shell but they dont care as long as we keep giving them the retailers fixed royalite at the end of the day i am just trying to make a liveing and support my family. so dont pick on us and pick on shell uk oils lts their tel number is 0800 731 9000 (i didnt give you that did i?)

shell tonypandy
shell hirwaun
shell sketty
shell swansea bay
shell halfway
shell crickhowell
shell newport
shell eastville
shell cork
shell fairford
shell cwmbran
shell llynipiya

if you want to find out more please contact me chris jones on 07778557824 about my garages or shell!!!

many thanks
C L Jones
shell franchisee
12 stations

Ever Think Of Changing Supplier

by Mark C

Fri Nov 24, 2006 18:03

Hi Chris,

Have you ever thougth of changing the company that supplies your petrol? (I'm not sure that there are any noteworthy mega-suppliers).

Or, you could, perhaps, sell one or two of your twelve stations and that might free up some capital so you wouldn't have to worry about your family going hungry, during these, what must be, terribly hard times. It might even mean that you could join a protest outside one or both of the stations that you sell, and since people wouldn't be going to that station - due to the picket line - they might head on over to one of your other ten stations. It's strange how when one door closes ten more open.

Mark.

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Solidarity in Action, Cork with Mayo versus Shell

Comments (5 of 5)