Home » Monthly archive

April 2010

New inquiry into alleged assault urged

By: 
Lorna Siggins - Irish Times

AN INDEPENDENT report for the Frontline human rights organisation recommends that gardaí from outside Mayo carry out a new investigation into the alleged assault on Rossport farmer Willie Corduff (56) a year ago at the Corrib gas pipe landfall at Glengad.

The analysis by barrister Brian Barrington of a number of incidents relating to the Corrib gas dispute is critical of Shell, the Garda, I-RMS security, which is employed by Shell, the Department of Energy and a minority of protesters.

The report, to be released today, publishes medical records and an independent medical assessment that dispute claims by Shell’s security contractor that “not a finger” was laid on Mr Corduff on April 23rd, 2009.

It finds that residents protesting peacefully on health and safety grounds about the gas project have the right to be described as “human rights defenders” under United Nations guidelines.

Link: 

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0427/1224269159765.html

Frontline report: Main points

By: 
The Irish Times

Gardaí should employ a trained lawyer as human rights observer.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission should again seek permission to conduct a policies and practices investigation into policing of the Corrib gas dispute.

Shell should intensify its existing efforts to comply with regulations and review its networking arrangements.

Link: 

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0427/1224269159758.html

Call for rights observer if onshore Shell gas line upheld

By: 
Lorna Siggins - Irish Times

THE FRONTLINE report on the Corrib gas dispute recommends that a human rights observer be assigned to Erris if the onshore pipeline is given approval by An Bord Pleanála.

It recommends that An Garda Síochána should employ a trained lawyer as a human rights adviser to review policies and practices and advise on policing.

It also recommends that the Garda ombudsman commission seeks permission again to investigate policing of the Corrib gas dispute. An application to do so by the commission to then minister for justice Brian Lenihan in 2007 was refused.

Link: 

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0427/1224269159816.html

"Funny Forum" Cancelled/Postponed

By: 
Shell to Sea Press Release 26:04:2010

The North West Mayo Community Development Forum which was due to meet in Rossport today, 26th April cancelled/postponed at short notice.

 

Shell to Sea understands that the North West Mayo Community Development Forum, otherwise referred to as the ‘Funny Forum’ had intended to hold one of its irregular meetings in Rossport today, 26th April. This forum was cancelled/postponed at short notice on Thursday evening last.

 

Shell planning large tunnel off the coast of Mayo

By: 
Nicola Cooke - Sunday Business Post

Shell will apply to An Bord Pleanála next month for permission to build a large tunnel under the seabed off the Mayo coast as part of the latest plan to get gas from the Corrib field.

The move, designed to avoid running the pipeline across land owned by local farmers, could delay the gas project by at least two more years and cost up to €100 million. Informed sources said it could be Shell’s ‘‘last throw of the dice’’ on the project.

Link: 

http://www.sbpost.ie/news/ireland/shell-planning-large-tunnel-off-the-co...

petition link is working again!

By: 
Betty

The link is working again:
Please sign the new AFRI petition calling for a suspension on all works on the Corrib Gas project pending independent investigations into the project.  Please sign and circulate widely

http://petitions.contact.ie/content/suspend-work-corrib-gas-project-pending-full-investigation

Link: 

http://petitions.contact.ie/content/suspend-work-corrib-gas-project-pend...

‘Unlawful detention’ of protestors – Do Human Rights matter?

By: 
livinginrossport

The ongoing saga unfolding in North Mayo around the Corrib gas project has seen years of protests and opposition from the local community and their supporters. In recent times, one of the most hotly contested arenas has been the courts, as more and more campaigners are charged and prosecuted for their opposition to Shell. But many of these charges seem to be more about persecuting the campaign than upholding law and order, and recent sittings of the courts have shown the Gardai to be far from even-handed in their policing of the protestors.

Link: 

http://livinginrossport.wordpress.com/2010/04/22/unlawful-detention-of-p...

Free Niall Harnett & Pat O’Donnell now!

By: 
Joe Higgins - MEP

Wednesday’s jailing of Shell to Sea activist, Niall Harnett, is a travesty of justice and further exposes Shell and the State’s attempts to criminalise peaceful protest and discourage young people and activists from opposing this pipeline.

Link: 

http://www.joehiggins.eu/2010/04/free-niall-harnett-pat-odonnell-now/

Scandalous plan to give away more of our oil and gas prospects — this time onshore

By: 
Colm Rapple - Irish Mail on Sunday

As Tony O’Reilly’s Providence Resources raised the hope of finding oil in Dublin Bay this week, green Minister Éamon Ryan is preparing to give away another large slice of our natural resources. And I mean, “giving away”. He has done it before, but his plans are even more scandalous this time. In the past the potential oil and gas reservoirs were in deep and inhospitable waters offshore. This time they are onshore.

Link: 

http://colmrapple.com/?p=126

Sligo's éirígí condemn jailing of Shell to Sea activist

By: 
Sligo Today

 Sligo éirígí activist Gerry Casey has condemned the latest jailing of a Shell to Sea campaigner describing it as unjust and another example of this states' attempts to criminalise those opposed to Shells pipeline in north Mayo.

Casey was responding to the sentencing of Niall Harnett, who received a 6-month sentence for going to the assistance of a fellow protester who, he claims, was being assaulted by a Garda. Harnett also received a 5-month sentence to run concurrently.

Link: 

http://www.sligotoday.ie/details.php?id=8753