The Chief is free!!

Erris was abuzz with joy and merriment as one of her finest sons, Pat 'the Chief' O'Donnell was freed from Castlerea Prison yesterday after 158 days of Shell-decreed incarceration. He was met by an ecstatic group of well-wishers outside the prison and was piped off the prison precincts after speeches by himself, Maura Harrington, and a message of support from Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, Mayor of Roscommon County Council.

Related Links:
Indymedia:
Eirigi call for support for protesters | Beat the Boreholes launch | The Pipe - Film about the shell protest | The Pipe wins film fleadh award | Shell to sea campaigner attacked | Shell ignores the law but gets campaigners jailed | 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 | Erris Sinn Féin Councillor criticises jailing of activist | 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
Video:
The Release
Pat "the chief" gives 'em hell june 2009
Pat "the chief" interview june 2009
Those who dance (part1of 5) | (part 2) | (part 3) | (part 4) | (part 5)
Join the cause:
Shell to sea website | Rossport Solidarity camp website

Rain falls on the snow. The Contagion has taken hold. Ghosts from the old Dead Republic are emerging everywhere as the day of judgement approaches.

On Black Tuesday a guilt ridden political functionary runs from his job burying bodies in the city. He is tortured by voices of reproach as he journeys towards home. He recounts the history of his dealings with Fingers - a boss 'who made the old boss look like Mother Teresa'.

Meanwhile, back in the city, amid the spiraling negativity, Fingers and his acolytes lay the foundations for a new Easter Rising.

Joe Higgins MEP

Attacks on working people are mounting right across Europe. The so-called PIGS (Portugal, Ireland & Italy, Greece, Spain) countries have been to the forefront of these attacks. In Ireland, we have seen €7 billion of cutbacks, seriously damaging public services, including health and education. In Greece, there has been a 10% cut in wages and spending in the public sector, together with an increased retirement age, VAT increases and the freezing of pensions. Portugal has a plan to cut its deficit by €11bn over four years through a crisis tax on wages and cutbacks in public services. The Spanish Parliament has passed cutbacks worth €15bn on top of €50bn already agreed. Italy is due to implement "emergency-cutbacks" of €24 bn.

Related Links: Europe-Wide Week of Protest and Solidarity (Dublin)
European Days of Solidarity and Protest
http://www.joehiggins.eu/2010/05/report-from-guengl-meeting-european-days-of-solidarity-and-protest/
The initial letter (pdf file)
EU-Protest-Leaflet (pdf file)
March on June 26th as part of European Week of Protest & Solidarity

The deportees back on Irish soil

Today family, friends and supporters welcomed home the five Irish MV Rachel Corrie passengers who were this morning deported from Israel. The five – Denis Halliday, Mairead Maguire, Fiona Thompson, Derek Graham and Jenny Graham – were greeted in Dublin airport by cheers and hugs from the assembled crowd who were there to salute their bravery, as well as a large media presence.

Related Links: At Least 9 Internationals Killed As Israel Attacks And Hijacks Gaza Flotilla In International Waters
Israel to deport all 680 Flotilla passengers - Irishman reported 'roughed up' by interrogators
Gaza Flotilla: Press Conference with Shane Dillon today at 2pm, Central Hotel, Dublin
Freedom Flotilla: Irish on the way home (via Istanbul) / Audio of Shane Dillon / Dublin Demo on Sat
Freedom Flotilla: Fintan Lane speaks of his harrowing experience
Full Steam Ahead for MV Rachel Corriie
MV Rachel Corrie 80 Miles from Gaza
MV Rachel Corrie Boarded by Israeli Forces
Following Flotilla Massacre, Repression Continues Apace in the West Bank

At least 9 international human rights activists may have been killed and dozens more injured after Israeli commandos attacked the unarmed Gaza Freedom Flotilla early this morning in international waters, according to reports from the flotilla organisers, while Israeli military sources confirmed at least 9 dead. This attack is a clear breach of international law.

Related Links:
youtube footage from RT | BBC news | Times report | Cowen condems attack (independent) | Al Jazeera report
Earlier reports as story broke-
Israeli War Ships approaching Freedom Flotilla to Gaza in international Waters | Israeli warships harass Gaza Flotilla in International Waters | Israel forces attack Freedom Gaza flotilla - Activists critically injured
Previous related reports- Gaza Freedom Flotilla in final stages of trip | Waterford IPSC Thanks Local Builders, Trade Unionists, Individuals Who Donated To Gaza Aid Flotilla | Israel continues to threaten Flotilla despite Irish TDs promise to deliver letter to Shalit | Freedom Flotilla of Aid expected to reach Gaza within 48 hours despite threats from the Israeli Navy
Take action:
Express your disgust at Israel's behaviour to your TD here..
Protests on Monday 31st May 2010 in reaction to massacre-
Protest in Cork today at Israeli massacre
Belfast Protest in solidarity with the Freedom Flotilla
Galway demo at M&S
Ramallah Protest Against Massacre of Human Rights Activists in Gaza Freedom Flotilla
Update (Monday 31st 17:48) -
3 Irish safe after Israeli assault on Freedom Flotilla – 2 refuse deportation, still in detention