By:
FSB! - Rossport Solidarity Camp - Indymedia
Selected photographs of the triumphant homecoming of a Hero and Friend!
The Chief is free!!

Erris was abuzz with joy and merriment as one of her finest sons, Pat 'the Chief' O'Donnell was freed from Castlerea Prison yesterday after 158 days of Shell-decreed incarceration. He was met by an ecstatic group of well-wishers outside the prison and was piped off the prison precincts after speeches by himself, Maura Harrington, and a message of support from Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, Mayor of Roscommon County Council.
Pat then returned to his native Porturlin in a motorcade via Ballyhaunis, Claremorris, Castlebar, Foxford, Ballina, Killala and Ballycastle. In Castlebar and Ballina he was piped through the main streets to the appreciation of passers-by. At Glenamoy Cross, Pat left his car to enter the joyful embrace of his friends, neighbours and supporters who had waited several hours for his return. After half an hour there of being welcomed back, Pat and the motorcade made the final leg of the journey home to Porturlin, where the whole village was assembled round a roaring bonfire to welcome their valiant neighbour back to his home patch.
Today, Pat attended the Street Feast outside McGuire's in Pollatomish, and there he thanked the many friends and supporters who kept his spirits up while imprisoned, and the many friends he made while in prison, and reminded people to keep up the support for Niall Harnett, another prisoner of Shell now jailed for his 89th day. the well-attended Street Feast made a fitting end to a most joyful weekend in Erris.
The Chief Abú!