Illegal Shell work in SAC blocked by protesters

mayo | environment | news report

Wednesday February 13, 2008 16:54

by A

12.2.08 Local people block Shell from illegal work in a SAC at Glengad, Erris for 4 hours until Gardai force through workers, injuring protesters.

12.2.08 At approx 8am this morning, local residents became aware of a Shell contracted survey team in the Glengad area on the SAC. To work in this area we understand that permissions must be obtained prior to any work being undertaken by Shell. Shell have still yet repaired the illegal work done last October.
To our knowledge, they are only entitled to remove the illegal boreholes, as ordered by Minister Gormley. Our requests for evidence of other permission continues to be ignored by both Shell, RPS and NPWS. Today’s surveying had nothing to do with repairing the damage however, despite claims to the contrary by security staff.
Despite contacting Shell’s supposed public liasons officer in the last few days no attempt has been made by Shell to clarify if they have any other of the required permissions.
A group of local people were forced to enter upon the land to stop this illegal work. Work was halted between 8am until approx 12 noon when a force of over a dozen Gardai came to escort the survey team back onto the SAC.
Despite explaining why the local community had reasonable excuse to stop further damage being done, the Gardai very forcefully removed all protesters from the entrance gate, ushering in the survey team. In their zealous pursuit of Shell’s best interests, the Gardai assaulted many of the approx 10 protesters present at the time. 1 man was arrested after being shoved onto a barbed wire fence, cutting his arm in several places before having his head banged off the ground by several Gardai. Others were dragged off, received kicks, shoves, had hair pulled, while the Gardai simultaneously obstructed the only camera from filming. The man who was arrested was later released without charge.

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Comments (8 of 8)

Photo from day

Wed Feb 13, 2008 17:16

Part of injuries sustained by protester after being pushed onto barbed wire fence by Gardai

Injured protester

What's happening with the Irish Govt?

by Nora

Wed Feb 13, 2008 17:53

noorazao at hotmail dot com

Looks like the bullish and boorish Irish Govt and ruling class has become puppet for Shell! Ridiculous! Is this a "Third World" country or "First World"?! The brave protestors especially the poor man should really sue the Irish state and Gardai in the EU Human Rights Court.

This is a disgrace

by Martin King

Wed Feb 13, 2008 19:42

This is an outrage these gardai pushing people around and into the fences. If the Gardai had any respect for their uniform they would batton the protestors out of the way, i mean there were only 10 of them, that would have been much safer than a barbed wire fence!

Thanks for keeping us informed

by Justin Morahan

Wed Feb 13, 2008 22:03

It's important on many fronts - not least the human rights front - to know what is happening in Shell/Mayo and how our Government's agents are protecting or infringing the rights of peaceful protestors. I have posted the feature with comments to John Gormley,

More Photos

by R

Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:08

Questioning the legality of the survey work

Packing up initially

Reinforcements arrive

Working together

Enjoying a rest

injury

by Paddy

Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:06

that injury could have been done anywhere!!!
he probably did it jumping one of the fences whilst tresspassing on other peoples property!!!
have you photos of any struggling or violence if so upload something that prooves your accusations, lets see the violence you are talking about.
The photos look very peaceful to me!

curious

by Sean

Mon Feb 18, 2008 13:08

Curious to know if anyone else has looked into other SACs that have had pipelines go through them.

As an interested observer, I did and found a couple.

Pipeline SACs

by MacE

Mon Feb 18, 2008 13:25

Was the pipeline installed before or after they were made SACs? If after, did the ministers responsible have to seek derogations from Brussels?

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Illegal Shell work in SAC blocked by protesters

Comments (8 of 8)