Watching them watching us. Shell's sinister shadow still looms large

Around the time of the visit of Shell’s pipe-laying ship the Solitaire in June it became clear that the Gardai had been told that they could do anything to remove Shell to Sea campaigners from the scene and they would be looked after. Rulings from the district court, in particular the denial of bail to 7 campaigners charged with the most minor of public order offences removed people with vital water skills from the area by interning them in Mountjoy and Castlerea prisons. Local fisherman Pat O’Donnell had one of his boat sunk from under him when four masked men boarded the boat in the middle of the night and held Pat and the other crew member at gun point while they sabotaged the boat leading to its sinking. When Pat took to sea in another boat as the Solitaire arrived he was arrested under the Public Order Act for loitering and once more sent to prison leaving the way clear for the Solitaire.

Related Links:
A Shadow Over Erris | The 420 Billion giveaway: How Ireland is losing its valuable natural resources | Shell to Sea campaigner Niall Harnett sentenced to 5months in jail | 27 Shell to Sea campaigners face court "special sitting" | éirígí slam Devins over Corrib gas controversy | Erris Rally of Solidarity with 'the Chief' Pat O'Donnell | Joe Higgins MEP visits 'Shell To Sea' Activist, Pat o'donnell, In Castlera Prison | Eoin O'Leidhin - Interview | Court Report from Mayo Shell Corrib Gas - Who are the real Thugs & Bullies? | Review of the week of Shell to Sea court hearings Court rules Garda Supt. M. Larkin responsible for Violation of the Rights of Shell to Sea activist

Jail Shell for Not Playing by the Rules

This week as it was revealed in the Irish Times that 20 months after entering into a legal agreement with local fishermen Shell has still not submitted an application as required to the Environmental Protection Agency to review the emissions licence for the experimental gas pipeline it is imposing on the people of Erris. Yet this week 27 Shell to Sea campaigners are being prosecuted on behalf of Shell in the local courts and today one of them received three five month sentences.

Related Links:
Shell to Sea campaigner Niall Harnett sentenced to 5months in jail | 27 Shell to Sea campaigners face court "special sitting" | éirígí slam Devins over Corrib gas controversy | Erris Rally of Solidarity with 'the Chief' Pat O'Donnell | Joe Higgins MEP visits 'Shell To Sea' Activist, Pat o'donnell, In Castlera Prison | Eoin O'Leidhin - Interview | Another Shell to Sea Campaigner Imprisoned | Shell retreats as solidarity with Pat o'donnell continues | Mary O`Donnell interview | Video: S2S Solidarity with jailed Pat o'donnell | Audio: Shell to Sea protests against jailing of fisherman Pat o'donnell at Shell HQ | Court Report from Mayo Shell Corrib Gas - Who are the real Thugs & Bullies? | Pat o'donnell - "Hero and Friend" not "Bully and Thug" | Review of the week of Shell to Sea court hearings

Celebrating in Style!

A 'miracle' of grassroots community organising happened yesterday – the community of Douglas Street, Cork came together and hosted an incredible diverse and immensely satisfying celebration of International Women's Day!

Related Links:
International Women's Day Peace Camp at Shannon | Audio from the 2009 & 2010 Feminist Walking Tours | Phil Keane from Women's group of St Michael's Estate talks about International Women's Day | Nation In Crisis: Feminist Perspectives

I'm a Photographer, not a Terrorist

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) is calling on the Departments of Justice and Foreign Affairs to clarify the latitude and legal standing accorded to foreign embassy security personnel in Ireland.

This follows the harassment yesterday (8 March) - on a public street in Dublin - of a leading Irish Palestine solidarity activist by a member of the Israeli embassy security team.

Dr David Landy, chairperson of the IPSC, described what occurred as “an outrageous breach of protocol” and “very sinister.” Furthermore, he called on the relevant government departments “to seek an immediate explanation and apology from the Israeli ambassador.”

Related Links:
Irish Government and EU must confront Israel over Dubai murder | The European Union in the Dock in Barcelona | Report on SOAS Conference on The Left in Palestine | IPSC Protest in Support of Anti-Veolia Motion at DCC / Motion deferred - Take action to support it | IAWM protest at Daíl over israeli use of Irish passports | Spies Like Us? - israeli diplomatic scandal regarding Irish Passports gets thicker, deeper | IPSC welcomes Michael Martin's visit to Gaza today

Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign - www.IPSC.ie

Free 'The Chief'

100 cars gathered today at noon in the fishing village of Porturlin, Pat O'Donnell's home, for a rally to Ballyglass pier on the Mullet peninsula in support of 'the Chief' who has been in Castlerea prison since 10th February.

The cavalcade travelled from Porturlin, out by Rossport, over to Glengad, up by Bellanaboy, into Belmullet and out to Ballyglass pier.

Related Links:
Joe Higgins MEP visits 'Shell To Sea' Activist, Pat o'donnell, In Castlera Prison | Eoin O'Leidhin - Interview | Another Shell to Sea Campaigner Imprisoned | Shell retreats as solidarity with Pat o'donnell continues | Mary O`Donnell interview | Video: S2S Solidarity with jailed Pat o'donnell | Audio: Shell to Sea protests against jailing of fisherman Pat o'donnell at Shell HQ | Court Report from Mayo Shell Corrib Gas - Who are the real Thugs & Bullies? | Pat o'donnell - "Hero and Friend" not "Bully and Thug" | Review of the week of Shell to Sea court hearings