Thursday September 18, 2008
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.
..." Those who have stood up for their rights in Mayo have been bullied, arrested, jailed and demonised by sections of the media and by Government. MAOR will continue to support the people of Mayo and will continue to campaign for a better deal for the people of the North West. Every community which is subject to gas exploration off its coastline must stand in solidarity with the people of Rossport and Glengad..."
