In the last hour Shell has announced that the Solitaire pipe laying ship is to depart from Irish territorial waters and go to a British port for repair and assessment.

The company has always claimed that it was not responding to pressure from protests against its plan to install an offshore section of production pipeline without any planning permission for the onshore section.

Maura Harrington, who is on hunger strike at the Shell compound at Glengad beach, has yet to make a statement, but it is hoped that if the company claim is true, and the ship leaves, then she will end or suspend her protest.

Update: Maura Harrington officially came off her hunger-strike and made the statement as published in the comments.

Hunger Strike Explanation

An update on the situation as of this morning in occupied Erris

After a truly momentous day in Erris yesterday,things are much calmer this morning. The Solitaire has been confirmed to be stationery in Killybegs Co Donegal.

Police presence in the area is still very heavy this morning although the general atmosphere (aside from at the compound gates) is slightly less tense. Maura Harrington continues her courageous hunger strike at the compound gates with round the clock solidarity from both locals and the camp.

Hunger Strike Explanation

The Solitaire arrived in Broadhaven Bay this evening, as the accompanying security operation was stepped up significantly. Vanloads of Gardaí; including special public order units have started arriving. Local woman Maura Harrington has gone on hunger strike at the gates of the compound. Her demand is that the Solitaire leave the bay or else her hunger strike will continue. Local fisherman Pat O'Donnell has just been arrested whilst trying to defend his lobster pots. Meanwhile, internet services in the area have been mysteriously cut...

Related Links:More S2S stories

"a coffin, and the Ministers polishing it"

Remember the 3rd of September. That is the day the economic conservative consensus died, when all the certainties propagated by our one-party state were shredded. Fiona Fail has panicked in the face of rapid economic deterioration, brought forward the budget by a few weeks, and in that simple, technical act has unintentionally composed a dirge. No one day heralds the end of something as complex and layered as an economic cycle. But they can serve up symbols. September 3rd is such a symbol – of a coffin, and the Ministers polishing it.

Related Links: The Recession Diaries

The People on the Left are Serving and Protecting

The Shell to Sea Flotilla took to the waves in Broadhaven Bay this evening towards sunset in an attempt to foil winching preparations in advance of the pipe-laying ship the Solitaire’s arrival possibly sometime soon. The intrepid S2S Flotilla were opposed in their mission by Shell’s fleet of security mercenaries, Gardaí, and the Irish Naval service, which were deployed in overwhelming numbers and in an aggressive, deliberately un-safety-conscious manner. Seven S2S marine protestors were arrested and taken to Belmullet Garda station. In a simultaneous action at the gates of the Shell Glengad compound a local man was arrested and taken to Belmullet Garda station. An earlier marine S2S sortie successfully held up shore-based dredging operations in the Glengad compound this afternoon for about two hours; there were no arrests that time.

Related Links: Shell to Sea Coverage on Indymedia.ie | Glengad, Mayo - July 29th | Shell & Gardaí Force Community from Glengad Beach | Shell halted as Shell to Sea '8' are illegally detained + Video of Event | Audio Interview with S2S activists after weekend trip down | Rossport Solidarity Camp Returns to Glengad with a Fresh Call Out for Action