Shell compound breached in Glengad during RSC gathering
mayo |
miscellaneous |
news report 
Sunday May 31, 2009 19:59
by gordon
This afternoon at 5pm, over 200 people from the local community and the Rossport Solidarity Camp Summer Gathering attempted to dismantle Shell's illegal compound at Glengad.
After a day of direct action training, local people and their supporters walked to the south side of the compound where they attempted to breach the fence in two places. They were met by strong opposition from over sixty Gardai, including many from the Public Order Unit.
At least five people who scaled the fence into the compound were held by security guards and later arrested.
Later in the afternoon, as the crowd were leaving, a further arrest was made when the Gardai targeted a prominent campaigner and forcibly detained him for speaking out against the actions of the Gardai.
Today’s action comes the day after Maura Harrington was released after 13 days in Mount Joy prison, Dublin for non-payment of fines, including a one thousand euro contribution to the Garda Benevolent Fund.
Around 200 people are attending the RSC summer gathering. It's a beautifully sunny weekend and preperations are now well under way for another summer of action against Shell in Mayo, on land and sea. Come and be part of it!
Comments (8 of 8)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8just a few pics of events
Paul Williams who works for Tony o Reilly Wrote AN article in the sunday world two years ago , stating that the Shell to Sea campaign was run by the IRA and Sinn fein. This enabled the Gardai to start battoning the protesters.
Well it seems the Gards have got him at it again, he has made a documentary on the Corrib Gas troubles.He is obliged to do this of course because he is under Garda protection due to articles he has written on gangland criminals.
The main pionts he is trying to make, is the extreme intimidation on the people who support the Shell project. The fact that in spite of Garda presence in Rossport Bellmulet area there has not been ONE charge broaught against anybody .
Any person with half a brain would know that if the IRA were involved in this campaign against these traitors, there would be a lot of dead bodies lying around the place by now.
THIS RUBISH WILL BE SHOWN ON TV3 AT 9 pm on TUESDAY.
Sir Anthony will be pleased.
Video of the Shell to Sea protests at Erris over the 2009 June bank holiday showing the attempt to pull down some of the illegal fence surrounding the compound and Gardai protection of the Shell compound. Mixture of stills and video taken on the day. Background information at http://www.dublins2s.com
Caption: Video Id: c1eV7S4XTXg Type: Youtube Video
Youtube of Erris Shell to Sea protest June 2009
Here's a selection of photos from the weekend. They cover many aspects of the weekend, from the over-the-top Garda presence to the weekend's actions to camp activities. There are some landscape shots of interest too.
Dawn over Erris
Workshop activity at the camp
Garda 'public order unit' being bussed in
Nosy Garda detective
Garda vehicles etc. inside Shell's compound
More photos of beautiful Erris and of those who defend it from Shell's despoliation.
David Rovics playing at the Solidarity Camp, Sat. night
Kayak practice in the face of Shell's flotilla of destruction
View over the camp and what it's combatting (in the background)
A beautiful and rare orchid spotted in Glengad. Proof positive of Erris' environmental importance.
Heading out to confront Shell
The final set of photos from my selection. Scenes from the action on Sunday evening.
Viewers might notice a Garda stepping on a protestor's arm about 22 seconds into the second video segment. This was a deliberate act by the garda involved, as evidenced by his failed attempt to do the same act immediately before he steps on the arm. This is typical of An Garda Síochána's 'public order policing', especially when it serves Shell's purposes in Co. Mayo.
Caption: Video Id: 1628 Type: Politube
Video clip 1 from Sunday
Caption: Video Id: 1629 Type: Politube
Video clip 2 from Sunday
This clip has plenty of Garda use of force, as is usual with them, and there's indirect evidence of an attempted assault by a garda on a protestor. This is what happens when bullies in possession of impunity lose an argument, and the Garda Szekler Legion are surfing on 20-foot waves of Impunity (with a capital I). Shell and the Irish state cannot be permitted to get away with their greedy violent and poisonous designs - to stand aside and permit their plans is to acquiesce in the doom of humanity.
P.S. Fair play to D. Rovics for coming to Glengad and seeing for himself what's happening. He also played a Sunday lunchtime gig for the many young children present at the gathering, as well as driving an injured protestor to hospital in his car. He's gone up loads in my estimation - thanks David!
Caption: Video Id: 1630 Type: Politube
Video clip 3 from Sunday
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