News release - Issued by Shell to Sea - Thursday 25th July 2013
AUGHOOSE FARMER ARRESTED FOR OPPOSING SHELL
Early yesterday morning, Mayo farmer Gerry Bourke was arrested by Gardaí at his home in Aughoose, Co. Mayo. He was held for 6 hours at Belmullet Garda station before being charged with criminal damage and trespass at Shell's tunneling compound at Aughoose.
Mr Bourke was questioned by Garda Hugh Egan, who was previously recorded joking about raping female anti-Shell campaigners in 2011. Garda Egan was briefly moved to Castlebar in the immediate aftermath of the recording being made public, however he remains actively involved in policing Corrib protests. [1]
Gerry Bourke has opposed the imposition of the Corrib Gas project in his village over the past decade and has previously spoken out regarding the occupation of the area by Shell and IRMS security. [2]