Rossport 5 shortlisted for Irish phenomenon of 2005

mayo | miscellaneous | news report Thursday December 08, 2005 11:55 by Supporter - Shell to Sea

The five Co. Mayo men, known as the Rossport 5, who have been resisting the controversial Shell/Statoil pipeline in North Mayo have been shortlisted for the 'Irish Phenomenon of 2005' title. They have been nominated by listeners of the popular Turbidy show on RTE Radio 1 and voting is continuing.

http://www.rte.ie/radio1/thetubridyshow/phenomenon.html

The Rossport 5 shot to international attention in June when they were imprisoned for what Judge Finngean deemed to be contempt of a court order taken out by Shell.

The men argued that Shell had failed to present the appropriate planning supports for their work in Rossport and therefore they had no right to be developing the Rossport part of the project.

What followed was a storm of protest throughout Ireland and internationally. There were occupations, protests, marches, petitions, fundraisers, blockades and pickets to draw attention to the plight of the Rossport 5 and their cause.

The men's plight? - Simply to ensure that the health and safety of their families, community and environment would be protected.

The Corrib gas saga began almost 10 years ago when Dennis Thatcher's enterprise oil were granted a giveaway gas deal of the estimated (by Woodhouse MacKenzie) 20Billion Euro Corrib gas field by politicians including Des O’Malley, Ray Burke, Bobby Molloy, Michael Lowry, Frank Fahey, Dermot and Bertie Ahern.

Over the next few years, a determined North Mayo Gaeltacht community lobbied furiously to draw attention to the economic, social, environmental and health and safety scandal that was later to be taken on by Shell, Statoil and Marathon oil with the full support of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the PDs.

The community successfully put their case forward in numerous planning hearings until Senior An Bord Plenala Inspector Kevin Moore's recommendation that the project was untenable was overturned.

However, it was not until the Rossport 5 spent 94 days in Cloverhill prison that the Irish public and indeed media and politicians began to pay attention to what has become a major national issue. The story of the Rossport 5 also caused major ripples in Norway where project partner Statoil is based.

The Rossport 5 are currently out of prison but 'awaiting punishment' from Judge Finnegan. However, their determination is resolute and they are determined that the 'Shell to Sea' campaign, of which they are part of, will continue until the controversial pipeline and refinery is located offshore.

5 ordinary men from one of the most remote parts of Ireland causing an national and international storm - certainly phenomenon on 2005!

More information, interviews, audio and video at http://www.shelltosea.com

Background to Rossport 5 story:
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=70767