Shell claims that the Solitaire is leaving Broadhaven Bay, but says it will take 48 hours

Wednesday September 10, 2008

Story may be a ruse to attempt to kill media reports of hunger strike
RTE and other media outlets are reporting that the Shell pipe laying ship is to leave Broadhaven Bay within 48 hours. Some journalists are speculating that the ship's captain has had a crisis of conscience and has left the area in response to the hunger strike, but Shell's statement claims the move is in response to damage to the ship's equipment. In situations like this, it is usual that false claims are made, and even deals are agreed to, purely to diffuse the situation.

Campaigners remember the lies that were told to Tara campaigners who had tunneled under the roadworks at the ancient site recently. Readers with longer memories will know that in previous hunger strike situations, media outlets have been used to spread misinformation. It is likely that Shell is trying to manage the media coverage of the situation, and a tactical withdrawal at this stage might suit them, since the campaign is going to find it hard to keep the attention of a fickle media when the novelty of the current situation has worn off. It is not clear from Shell's statement why it will take them 48 hours to move a ship back to the Donegal coast, since it can make the trip in a matter of a few hours under normal conditions. rte report here: www.rte.ie/news/2008/0910/corrib.html

Urgent Call Out! Escalation in Erris as Solitaire arrives - solidarity needed

Tuesday September 09
The Solitaire arrived in Broadhaven Bay this evening, as the accompanying security operation was stepped up significantly. Vanloads of Gardaí; including special public order units have started arriving. Local woman Maura Harrington has gone on hunger strike at the gates of the compound. Her demand is that the Solitaire leave the bay or else her hunger strike will continue. Local fisherman Pat O'Donnell has just been arrested whilst trying to defend his lobster pots. Meanwhile, internet services in the area have been mysteriously cut...

Eight Arrested as S2S Flotilla Acts Against Winching Preparations

Thurs. 4th September.

The Shell to Sea Flotilla took to the waves in Broadhaven Bay this evening towards sunset in an attempt to foil winching preparations in advance of the pipe-laying ship the Solitaire’s arrival possibly sometime soon. The intrepid S2S Flotilla were opposed in their mission by Shell’s fleet of security mercenaries, Gardaí, and the Irish Naval service, which were deployed in overwhelming numbers and in an aggressive, deliberately un-safety-conscious manner. Seven S2S marine protestors were arrested and taken to Belmullet Garda station. In a simultaneous action at the gates of the Shell Glengad compound a local man was arrested and taken to Belmullet Garda station. An earlier marine S2S sortie successfully held up shore-based dredging operations in the Glengad compound this afternoon for about two hours; there were no arrests that time.

More Blockades, More Shell War-Boats!

Tuesday September 02, 2008 20:31

Defiance all round by S2S as the Irish Naval Service disgrace themselves again
Report and photos from this morning’s blockade of the Shell compound in Glengad, Erris, Co. Mayo, and the Shell to Sea Flotilla’s second visit to Shell War-Boat Orla which left Broadhaven Bay this afternoon. Also there is confirmation of the arrival of a second Shell War-Boat, the Aoife.

Locals and Solidarity Campers blockaded the shift change at Shell’s pipeline landfall site compound at Glengad about 7am this morning. Protestors assembled before the compound gates at approximately 6:50am. The blockaders were opposed by nearly 40 Gardaí who were in quite confrontational mood, but even so the protest continued for over an hour in spite of the Gardaí being rather rough when pushing back blocking protestors. The protest ended soon after 8am when Gardai forced open a path for the last vehicle to enter the compound. Then, this afternoon at about 1:30pm Shell to Sea Flotilla’s Emerald Squadron took to the sea to once again approach the Shell War-Boat Orla. The purpose of this sortie was to re-attempt communications with the Orla, in order to ascertain her intentions in Broadhaven Bay and to enquire why Shell’s cops had called up a second War-Boat to force through the Corrib Gas Project over the seas, lands and bodies of an unwilling local population. Once again Shell’s gunboat refused communications. S2S Flotilla’s Emerald Squadron repeated their requests, this time as Gaeilge, but they met with another refusal of communications. Meanwhile the Orla was weighing anchor, stoking up and making haste to depart (RSC Coastwatch confirmed Shell War-Boat Orla’s departure from Broadhaven Bay about 2:45pm).They also visually confirmed reports from Erris residents that a second Shell War-Boat had indeed entered Broadhaven Bay early this morning (RSC Coastwatch had missed her entry due to rain and poor visibility). The new Shell War-Boat was identified as the Aoife (P-22), but it was not approached today. It will be investigated more closely in the coming days.Other than the comings and goings of Shell’s War-Boats, there were no other significant movements of Shell vessels. The pipe-laying ship the Solitaire is reported to be still in Killybegs harbour at the time of posting, and its ‘support ship’ the Highland Explorer remains beyond the horizon outside Broadhaven Bay. Little or no work in progress was observed by campers and residents in the Shell Glengad compound.Even though current events have something of a ‘phoney war’ about them, the Shell to Sea campaign remains vigilant on the ground here in Erris. Once again the Shell to Sea campaign and the Solidarity Camp urge all members supporters to come to Mayo, especially if they have good ideas for action and the resolve to follow through. If supporters cannot come then Shell to Sea would greatly appreciate solidarity protests and actions in their home locations. The Solitaire can arrive any day soon – with your help the people of Erris can resist this invasion more effectively!

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

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