Tuesday September 02, 2008
Aoife joins Orla
Another Irish Naval Service warship arrived off the Mayo Coast this afternoon. Given the small sizse of the Irish navy, the priority which is being put on this operation is alarming. As recent events have shown, the Irish coast is often used by criminals importing large quantities of drugs into the country fro further export to Europe, and the navy is supposed to be an impotant line of defence against this. Instead two ships ae being used to intimidate the local population of a small part of the west coast, to discourage protests against Shell.
Last week the LE Orla was deployed, and the Department of Defence claimed it was in suppot of the Garda. What the Gardai could want with a second warship can only be speculated on. Many fear that the Navy will seize fishing gear in the bay and thus help Shell's pipe laying operation. By the time the gear is legally returned, it will be too late to stop the Shell work.
