Shell v People of Rossport

dublin | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Friday July 01, 2005 14:11

by krossie - shelltosea

the sage continues

The lads remain in jail but no one new put in and possibility of an appeal based on Shell not having consents

About 90 people protested outside

Ok the proceedings seem to have been very quick this morning but heres what I know based on a reliable witness in court.

1. The two new cases - neither were jailed on the basis that they argued thay hadn't been involved in any blockade and wouldn't be.

2. According to the meeja (Today fm and RTE) the three lads agreed to respect the blockade injunction but they remain in on the land one

quote:

"The High Court has dismissed proceedings against three Co Mayo landowners who were facing the prospect of a second jail sentence for contempt of court.

The men undertook not to obstruct the road leading to the shell depot in Rossport.

However, the three men, Vincent and Philip McGrath and Willie Corduff are already in jail with two other Mayo men for contempt over their opposition to the Corrib gas pipeline."

(from RTE see http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=70552)

3. The five are launcing an appeal which is up for mention but not hearing next Wednesday - so they could be in for a while yet.

The basis of the appeal is that Shell didn't have "consents" from the Minister to carry out the work that was being obstructed. Dempsey will now have to swear an affidavid as to what consents he had granted.

My information is that the first Quantitative Risk Assesment (QRA) had to be thrown out as the company that did it was 50% owned by Shell.

The second one has just arrived at the department. So my understanding is that NO CONSENTS should have been issued. (?)

This is FIERCE technical so I'm open to correction.

Shell's line is that they had consent to survey and stake out the land - though not to lay the pipe.

4. Excellent protest outside - loads up from Mayo and Galway - almost every truck and motorist honking support

Krossie