March 2010

ROSSPORT residents have been given permission to take a case against Shell, writes Marian Harrison.

The State and Shell had asked the High Court to halt an action by Bríd McGarry and Brendan Philbin alleging that ministerial consents given for the Corrib gas pipeline breached European law and the principles of natural and constitutional justice.

However, Justice Mary Laffoy ruled that the defendants could proceed with their claim against Shell.

If Enda Kenny wants to be Taoiseach, let him show his leadership qualities by addressing a bitter controversy in his own back yard, the protracted Corrib gas saga. That is the view of Labour town councillor, Harry Barrett, who yesterday told The Mayo News that ‘what has gone on in north Mayo, in the name of the State, has been an insult to democracy and the rights of the citizen under the constitution’.
“This controversy has gone on for far too long. Enda Kenny aspires to be leader of the country and this is on our own doorsteps and now needs to be resolved. We have a multi-billion euro resource on the edge of this county and we have had nothing but community turmoil over it,” said Cllr Barrett.

There have been continued demonstrations in Co Mayo in support of Pat O'Donnell who was jailed for a total of seven months in February as part of ongoing opposition by local people to the controversial Shell Gas project on the North Mayo coast.

Last weekend there was a motorised rally through the area to demonstrate support for Mr O'Donnell.

I hope you’re well, and still adjusting ok to Castlerea. Things are pretty good here, and it’s been great to see people really getting it together with the solidarity actions over the last couple of weeks.