Second Navy Vessel arrives in Broadhaven Bay

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.

Today's news from Glengad, Erris, Co. Mayo

Sunday August 31, 2008

At about 1pm a delegation of Gardai called to the Rossport Solidarity Camp, ostensibly about informing campers of section 8.1 of the Public Order Act. While annoyed by their presence on the camp, the Gardai were prevented from snooping around the marquees, though the use of a video camera by Gda. Burke (old foe) to follow young children around roused righteous ire in their parents. Once they delivered their utterly pointless message they were escorted off the site to the road and their waiting squad car and van.In the late afternoon, S2S Flotilla exercises were held off the Glengad compound and the marine protest/action squadron used the fine weather today to sharpen their nautical skills. Exercises lasted an hour, followed by a quick shower and off to the next S2S activity.At 6:45 pm local residents and Rossport Solidarity Campers mounted a blockade of the gates of the Shell Glengad compound. This caught the Gardai off balance, and they deployed only in sparse numbers, very slowly, and remained firmly ensconced in their vehicles.

After an hour of blockading, locals and campers returned to the Solidarity Camp for tonight's party on the foreshore (a celebration of our mutual capacity for resistance to the corporate juggernaut and a bit of R&R too!).Still no sign of the Solitaire. The clock is well-burnt now - she remains in Killybegs harbour but she's still a looming threat that must be met.The need for people to come here and help in the struggle to save Erris and stop the Great Gas Robbery remains urgent. Come to Glengad if you can!

Related Link: http://www.corribsos.com/

Shell to Sea Press Release

Sunday August 31, 2008

Navy Warship LÉ ORLA must fly the Shell flag
Text of press release issued this afternoon by Shell to Sea regarding the presence of the Irish Naval Service's warship the LÉ ORLA in Broadhaven Bay, Co. Mayo, as an auxiliary to the Gardaí and Shell Security. Please read main body text for details.
Shell to Sea Press Release - Sun. 31st August 2008Navy Warship LÉ ORLA must fly the Shell flagLate last week the Irish Navy Warship, the LÉ ORLA arrived in Broadhaven Bay to support Gardaí and Shell Security who persist in pushing the Corrib Gas Project on by force.According to Irish Defence Force and Military information the LÉ ORLA is a high speed vessel, designed to move rapidly about the patrol area and to bring her considerable firepower to bear where necessary.At approximately 5pm on Saturday 30th August a squadron of Shell to Sea kayaks put to sea in order to deliver a message to the Captain of the LÉ ORLA.The Shell to Sea ‘Shamrock Squadron’ paddled to within a respectful distance of the warship and the ‘James Connolly’ attempted to establish contact with the navy vessel on channels 14 and 16 of the VHF radio, in order to determine the intentions of the Captain and his crew.The Captain failed to respond to radio communication and consequently the Shamrock Squadron paddled closer to establish visual and verbal communication – to be seen and heard.A request to speak to the Captain was denied.Concerns about the presence of the warship were expressed to the Officers on the deck of the LÉ ORLA and they were asked to declare their intentions. Although the officers listened, they did not respond and would not communicate in any way.Shamrock Squadron invoked their constitutional rights to act in the defence of the natural resources of the State which have been given to Shell and the Corrib Gas consortium. The Irish navy crew were asked whether they intended to assist in the protection of those natural resources or act in collusion with Shell and participate in the ‘Great Gas Giveaway’.“Without any clear intention from you we assume that you are acting for Shell”, said one of the Shell to Sea crew. “It’s confusing for us that you are flying the Irish flag from the mast of your ship on behalf of Shell, as we fly the flag on behalf of the Irish people. We maintain the right to fly the flag and we say that you are no longer entitled to fly the Irish flag”.The navy officers were offered a Shell flag to fly from their mast which they would not accept.An invitation to the Captain to come to dinner at the Rossport Solidarity Camp was declined.The Shamrock Squadron thanked the navy crew for their attention and paddled back to shore.Shell to Sea marine activists are experienced in dealing with the Spanish, German, Dutch, Royal and US Navies. This fresh threat from the Irish Navy, which comes in addition to the overwhelming numbers of Gardaí and Shell security in the area, is totally disproportionate to the legitimate protest which will continue against the Shell Corrib Gas Project in spite of this unprecedented development.ENDS.

For verification or comment contact Niall Harnett at 086 8444966.
Related Link: http://www.corribsos.com

Interview with Shell to Sea activist about the struggle in Rossport 11.96 Mb

13 Arrested so Shell can continue illegal work

Tuesday July 22, 2008

In Glengad, today 13 people were arrested when they confronted Shell over digging in a Special Area of Conservation. 13 anti-Shell protesters were arrested at Glengad on Tuesday, while challenging Shell on the permissions they had to do excavation and other works around the site of the proposed landfall area of the pipeline. The arrested people included Goldman Prize winner Willie Corduff as well as Shell to Sea trailer hostess Mary Horan.

Protesters arrested resisting Shell at Glengad beach

Thursday August 21, 2008

Garda patrol boats used to intercept protesters
A number of protesters have been arrested in Mayo resisting Shell contractors who have been trying to install pipeline infrastructure on Glengad beach. Five people were reportedly arrested this morning and another three this afternoon. It is unclear whether all those arrested have been charged under the Public Order Act or have simply been detained.Shell has been working on the beach, which is a Special Area of Conservation, under a foreshore licence granted by Minister Mary Coughlan and permissions from Minister Eamon Ryan, even though they have yet to receive planning permission for the onshore section of their proposed pipeline.

Last month, thirteen people were arrested on the beach at Glengad for protesting against this work. The Minister for the Environment has yet to make a statement on the matter. At the weekend , an internal Shell report showed that the company had misled its own advisors in relation to the impact the work would have on protected habitats. Some of those associated with the campaign against Shell have welcomed the fact the gardaí seem to have abandoned a previous policy of not arresting people and simply used brute force to stop protests.

Shell to Sea Pirates begin Week of Action against Shell's Solitaire.

Saturday August 16, 2008

Today (Saturday) at noon a flotilla of sea kayaks reclaimed Glengad beach, Pollathomas, Co Mayo; the landfall site for Shell’s offshore pipeline.Members of the ‘Great Rebel Raft Regatta’ recently deployed at the E.ON coal fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent, England, have made their way from Climate Camp UK to Erris, in order to assist Shell to Sea campaigners in their opposition to this pipeline construction at Glengad.The first wave of the Rebel Regatta arrived today following Marine & Public Information Notices which announced the arrival of the world’s largest pipe-laying vessel, the Solitaire, in Broadhaven Bay, any time from today onwards.Captain Ahab of the Rebel Crew states, “It’s unacceptable what Shell are being allowed to get away with here in Mayo. We intend to plunder Shell’s compound at Glengad and board the Solitaire when she arrives in the bay. We take no prisoners. It’s the gang-plank for these boys. This environment needs protection from these marauders of Shell’s.”