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Quotes

Harry Barrett

“I am convinced that people in the county are beginning to realise 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.”

— Harry Barret - Labour Councillor for Castlebar

Joe Higgins

"The Irish political establishment stands condemned by the whole Corrib gas saga. The anti-social criminals known as speculators and big bankers whose lust for super profits crashed the Irish economy with disastrous consequences for ordinary people and for society in general. Not one of them has been before a criminal court.

But a local fisherman has the whole force of the State mobilised against him to achieve a manufactured conviction and a jail sentence because he stands for community benefit over private greed."

— Joe Higgins MEP - after meeting Pat O Donnell in Castlerea prison

Joe Higgins

"Contrary to the statement of Judge Raymond Groarke, Pat O’Donnell is no thug or bully – he is a hero for standing up to Shell to defend the safety of his community.

The Irish state has played the role of thug and bully in this conflict. They have intimidated, beaten, and repeatedly jailed peaceful protestors for actively opposing the giveaway of €420 billion worth of oil and gas off the west coast of Ireland."

— Joe Higgins - MEP

Related Info: 

http://www.shelltosea.com/content/jailing-pat-o’donnell-outrageous-attack-right-protest

Pat O Donnell

"All I am trying to do is protect my family and the seas that are our livelihood.  My family has fished these waters for five generations - I have no authority to sell the rights to these waters"

— Pat O Donnell - fisherman

Terence Conway

"Shell have no planning for the 92 metres of onshore pipe at Glengad, and An Bord Pleanála have acknowledged this fact, yet the Ministers continue to do nothing when faced with this breach of the law by Shell.”

— Shell to Sea spokesperson - Terence Conway

Andy Storey

“We are giving away hundreds of millions of euros to multinational companies at a time when our health, education, and other services are being decimated"

— Andy Storey - Afri Chairperson

Benny McCabe

“I have worked as a human rights observer with the UN, the EU and the OSCE in Cambodia, the Balkans, South Africa and in many post-conflict situations, but I have never been treated the way I was in Glengad in late June last year”

— Benny McCabe - Human Rights Observer and former Garda Sergeant

Tony McNamara

There was one occasion where it was reported that there was a baton charge on protestors,”

“In fact, there was technical deployment of batons by a sergeant and seven gardaí.”

— Retired Chief Superintendent Tony McNamara

James Laffey

"Almost a decade later I can still recall my utter astonishment when officials from the Health and Safety Authority told the hearing that dumping 500,000 tonnes of peat on the side of a hill in an area with a history of landslides was not a risk to public safety. It was one of those moments when you began to wonder if logic could be bad for your health."

— James Laffey - Editior of the Western People

Albert Einstein

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds."

— Albert Einstein