Rossport update - Thursday morning

by . Thu Sep 18, 2008 15:32

Norway paper of record. They covered the Mayo story in detail before towards the end of the Rossport 5's spell in Jail. This old post has the name of the journalist who covers 'environment' stories for them. It would make a difference if this was widely known in Norway. I can't do it so someone with a phone and time please do. Call him by phone. Get his e-mail. Send him a good series of links from here and newspapers. Maybe contact environmentalist groups there in Norway too.

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/71041

by Grainne Thu Sep 18, 2008 15:13 dublins2s at gmail dot com

Statement released by Shell:

Solitaire to depart Killybegs for UK Port
18/09/2008

Shell E&P Ireland Limited (SEPIL) can confirm that the Solitaire will leave Killybegs today for a UK Port where deep water berthing facilities are available.

The vessel will remain in port while a further assessment of factors including operational, technical and weather issues will be completed. Once this is done, a further statement about the 2008 offshore development programme will be made. This programme still requires a suitable weather window for successful completion.

Separately, a special diving support vessel is being deployed to Broadhaven Bay tomorrow to assist in the salvage of the 12 metres long, 80 tonnes section of the Solitaire's pipe laying equipment. This piece of equipment, which became detached from the vessel last Wednesday (September 10th), is currently lying on the seabed in Broadhaven Bay, Co Mayo and will be removed and disposed of for safety and environmental reasons.

by journo Thu Sep 18, 2008 15:13

Green Party Press Office Gerry Mullins,
Communications Manager
Tel: 01 618 4878 Mobile: 086 3080781 Email: gerry.mullins@oireachtas.ie Damian Connon
Press Officer

Tel: 01 618 3852 Mobile: 087 228 1119 Email: damian.connon@greenparty.ie Nicola Cassidy
Press Assistant

Tel: 01 618 4088
Mobile: 087 914 8175
Email: nicola.cassidy@greenparty.ie

Contacts for Green Party in Government

Department Minister Media / Political Advisor Dept Press Office
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Minister John Gormley TD

Tel: 01 888 2404 Email: minister@environ.ie Liam Reid, Media Advisor
Tel: 01 888 2510 Mobile: 087 270 8397 Email: liam_reid@environ.ie Sean Dunne

Tel: 01 888 2638 Email: press-office@environ.ie
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Eamon Ryan TD
Tel: 01 678 2004 Email: minister.ryan@dcenr.gov.ie Bríd McGrath, Media Advisor
Tel: 01 678 2440 Mobile: 087 770 8631 Email: brid.mcgrath@dcenr.gov.ie Ken Cleary

Tel: 01 678 2441 Email: press.office@dcenr.ie
Department of Agriculture and Food Minister of State Trevor Sargent TD
(Food & Horticulure)

Tel: 01 607 2362 Email: trevor.sargent@agriculture.gov.ie
Conor Little, Political Advisor

Tel: 01 607 2361
Email: conor.little@agriculture.gov.ie
Michael Walsh

Tel: 01 607 2190 Email: DAFPressOffice@agriculture.gov.ie

Government Press Office
John Downing
Deputy Government Press Secretary / Head of GIS
Tel: 01 619 4101 Mobile: 087 237 4769 Email: john.downing@taoiseach.gov.ie

by norway norway norway - none Thu Sep 18, 2008 14:37

Shell and the Irish government have been pretty shameless over the last eight years of this disgraceful "project".

The Norwegians on the other hand however have felt extremely uneasy about their role in it when the focus is put on them. (Statoil is one of the Corrib gas partners and the largest shareholder in Statoil is the Norwegian government).

Pressure on the Norwegians played an important part in getting the Rossport Five freed.

The Norwegians would under no circumstances allow a Corrib-like project in their own country on the grounds of the right of their citizens to a safe, healthy environment.

Please contact them for Maura.

Protests however small @ Norwegian embassy will have a disproportianately big effect.

ROYAL NORWEGIAN EMBASSY
34 Molesworth St
Dublin 2
Tel No 01 662 18 00
emb.dublin@mfa.no

by Justin Morahan Thu Sep 18, 2008 13:17

(The following letter was sent to the Editors of the Irish Times, Irish Independent and Irish Examiner but has not been published by any of them to date as far as I know)

The hunger strike undertaken by school Principal Maura Harrington on September 9th in Mayo is a drastic and frightening climax to years of non-violent protest on the part of a small community who wish to safeguard their children's health and safety against the powerful oil Companies of Shell, Statoil and Marathon.

The Irish State has shamefully used both its police force, the Garda Síochána, and its Navy to try to silence that protest by giving their full backing to Shell's money-making exploits.

We are indeed a passive and down-trodden people to have allowed that same State to give away our gas for absolutely nothing to these entrepreneurs and to allow Shell and Co not only to take the gas for nothing but also to give back not one single cent to the Irish people after they have extracted their spoils. Instead they have attempted to buy local support by giving hand-outs to very deserving charities and popular sporting clubs or individuals in the area. That is meant as a washing of guilty hands.

Raymond Burke and Bartholomew Ahern with two strokes of the pen were the men who betrayed their country and us by their give-away to Shell for reasons best known to themselves.
The party of these two gentlemen, Fianna Fáil, has been re-elected to Government time and again and has been performing with an arrogance typical of power-hungry parties everywhere. They take a doubtful "win" - patched together after an election which they have lost - to constitute a mandate to do whatever they like. Compounding the injustice of handing over State property and rights to the oil companies, their treatment of the non-violent protestors in Rossport over the years has been disgusting and outrageous.

We have seen TV and video footage of violence used against these non-violent protestors by our State Garda and civilians who might be Gardaí or men in the employ of Shell. They have been dragged before the Courts, hand-cuffed and sent to jail as criminals. With the State on the side of the Mighty and the Wrongdoers, it was hard for the protestors and their supporters to see any way to achieve justice along that wonderful wild beauty of the Mayo coast. It was in these circumstances that Maura Harrington undertook her tragic action.

I have never subscribed to the idea of a hunger-strike to the death as I believe it is a sacrifice too great, a last desperate denial of one's own right to live and attain justice while alive. But I respect the hunger-striker's right to this expression of outrage in the face of outrageous injustices.
I call on Shell, Allseas, the Masters of the Solitaire, and especially the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Government Ministers - including the Ministers from the Green Party that once inspired hope and confidence - to put measures in place to undo the silent treachery of the Corrib Gas give-away, to boldly re-negotiate a new and fair contract, to remove the Solitaire from Irish waters forthwith.

You are the culprits that have caused and continue to cause the protests in Mayo that have now arrived at this awful pass. Don't let this brave woman die.

by Chrissie Thu Sep 18, 2008 13:14

Please tell Maura we want her to stay with us!

by caller Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:57

If they are not answering the phones in Green Party HQ - remeber they have helpfully provided mobile numbers on their website - they would not have put the numbers up there if they didn't want people to use them would they ?

Damian- 087 228 1119

Nicola - 087 914 8175

by Charles B. Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:21

Last evening I observed the Solitaire at anchor at Killybegs, up to 12:30am this morning, sodium lamps all ablaze, like another monoluminated Las Vegas on the shores of Donegal.
However, upon my rising, I looked to gaze upon it again, and she was there no longer.

From across Donegal Bay. (apologies about the quality)

by Damien Moran Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:13

SHELL EP Ireland and Erris community groups have called for "calm" following the discovery of an explosive device on the steps of the Shell headquarters in Dublin on Monday.

Two Erris community groups which have proposed a compromise location for the Corrib gas refinery have issued a joint statement "unreservedly" and "totally" condemning the placing of a device which was detonated by the Army's bomb disposal squad in Leeson Street, Dublin, on Monday night.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0917/1....html

by lulu Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:08

If u only get answering m/c, send em plenty emails instead! They r ducking their responsibilities big-time.

by Jack Thu Sep 18, 2008 09:40

The Green Party are having a 2 day seminar in Fels Point Hotel Tralee from today 18-19th September. Be good to hold a demonstration there.

I rang the Green Party HQ several times today to give them hell, all I get is the answering machine.

by jo public - none Thu Sep 18, 2008 00:42

I know Maura, her husband and her family, and a more intelligent, and nicer family I have yet to meet. I am sorry that it has come to the point of a hunger strike by Maura, a hugely intelligent and intellectual woman. Her family, although behind her 100% I'm sure, must be sorely tried by this turn of events. I wish her and her family the strength to survive and see that this is a minor blip in the scheme of their lives.
I am not a S2S supporter, and never will be, but I don't want to see the demise of a lovely, intelligent human being, and the devastation of her family and friends.

by who says ? Wed Sep 17, 2008 23:25

why aren't they unloading it then?

it's been back in Donegal a week

by normal person Wed Sep 17, 2008 22:11

Does she not know the ship is broken?, the ship has left Broadhaven until next year? this is either an act of madness or an ego trip or both. People running around trying to save her, why does she not look out into the bay for a ship that is gone, not because of her but because of the Fishermen and bad luck of sorts. This is really sick stuff. The ship has a belly full of pipe (70km) that will not be laided until next year if ever, it will take weeks to unload, is Maura demanding it leaves without unloading?. What a load of bullshit. Talk about taking a victory last week and turning it into a defeat.

by Chrissie Wed Sep 17, 2008 19:30

Shell to Sea, many thanks for your time & trouble to try to wake people up to what's happening in Mayo. The Corrib Gas Robbery isn't just a little trouble affecting a few rurals way out West, it's a carve-up of Irish resources with no benefit to the people, a dangerous & ill-conceived scheme that endangers many people's lives, & the Government's response to opposition has been to deploy Gardai & most of the Irish Navy in gross abuses of human rights - that is, everyone's human rights in Ireland are threatened by the precedent of what they can get away with on this.
Viva Maura - do all ye can to keep her alive!

by Ciaron O'Reilly - Dublin Catholic Worker/ Ploughshares Wed Sep 17, 2008 14:26

Solitaire No Longer Relevant - Leviathan Tries to Lay Pipes to Mayo and Falls
Flat on Its Face!

.....the Solitaire THIS week (unlike LAST week) is NOW an irrelevancy to Shell, the collaborating
Irish state, the movement against the Shell/Irish state conspiracy at Rossport and to Maura Harrington
on hunger strike. If this is true, the Solitaire CAN'T and WON'T be doing the job it was sent to Ireland to do
....continued...
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/89140

by the shadow - none Wed Sep 17, 2008 09:58

just to let people know that Eamon Ryan is guest speaker at the BCI Dinner at Croke Park Tonight.
Dinner at 8 PM

by Ciaron - Catholic Worker/ Ploughshares Tue Sep 16, 2008 19:19

When are these youtubes taken?
How far into the hunger strike?

by Fearín Eile Tue Sep 16, 2008 17:13

The Greens have been getting it in the neck all day about the Corrib fiasco - also from some of their own members.
Tel No 01 679 00 12
E mail info@greenparty.ie
PRESSURE PRESSURE PRSSURE

by A McCabe Tue Sep 16, 2008 16:57

It tears my heart to think that we could lose Maura, but suppose SHell ask Allseas to keep the Solitaire in Killybegs awhile? With their practiced spin, they wouldn't mind calling us terrorists, etc., so they could be quit of an articulate and determined campaigner. The story of a suspect device near SHell's Dublin office stinks; Shell to Sea has remained peaceful all these years despite severe provocation.

by dunk Tue Sep 16, 2008 14:38

c/o Revolt Video

and related links to RTEs interviews
http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0910/corrib.html

Caption: Video Id: 914 Type: Politube
Embedded video Politube

by dunk Tue Sep 16, 2008 14:31

You don't build trust through gunboat diplomacy
Irish Times, September 16
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0916/1....html

A final opportunity exists for consent to replace coercion over the Corrib gas project; the State must take it, writes Fintan O'Toole...

..The Army hasn't been called in, but for the first time in the history of the State, the Naval Service has been deployed against a civilian protest.

The existing law was specifically changed for Shell - for the first time, a private company was allowed to obtain compulsory purchase orders against private citizens. This new legislation was so deeply flawed that it is probably invalid - the Government had to amend it subsequently and Shell used a different legal mechanism for the amended pipeline route.

When citizens can't look to the State for fairness, events spiral out of control. This whole problem is rooted in what Shell itself has acknowledged to be "a lack of dialogue and trust".

..a last opportunity to replace coercion with consent. Having supported the protesters and been elected partly on a promise to review the entire project, Eamon Ryan has a personal moral obligation to take on that responsibility.

Higgins urges ministerial action in Corrib gas row
Irish Times, September 16
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0916/1....html

LABOUR PARTY president Michael D Higgins has called on Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan to provide leadership in relation to resolving the Corrib gas controversy.

...Speaking in Galway yesterday Mr Higgins said it was almost a year since a compromise proposal aimed at resolving the controversy had been submitted by three Erris priests to Mr Ryan, as Minister primarily responsible for the Corrib gas project.

Mr Higgins added that it was time that Mr Ryan addressed the "vacuum" which "he has left by not responding to the priests' plan".

Mr Ryan's inaction was "totally unhelpful", he said.

Bomb squad defuses device at Shell HQ
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0916/1....html

Shell protester vows to continue hunger strike
Irish Examiner
http://www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story....1.asp

Shell accused of 'project splitting'
Irish Independent
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/shell-accused-o....html

Related on imc-ie:

Shell concerned by explosive device
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/89122

Phoney bomb plot at Shell?
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/89119

...as Maura says" you could trust Shell as far as I could throw the Solitaire"

lastly, link to youtube film about what this is all about:
Those that dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sfNGwIaNIg

Caption: Video Id: _sfNGwIaNIg Type: Youtube Video
Embedded video Youtube Video

by fodhla - save tara campaign Tue Sep 16, 2008 13:18

Campaigners and activists from the Save Tara Campaign brought their peaceful protests out of the Gabhra Valley yesterday, Monday 15th and stopped construction on other sections of the illegal M3 toll-road for over 5 hrs .

Wanting to bring attention to local gombeen man Minister Noel Dempsey’s involvement in both the Corrib gasline as Minister for Marine and Natural Resources at the time of its planning and the illegal M3 as Minister for Transport now , campaigners explained to idle construction workers and Gardai that the peaceful action was in solidarity with Shell to Sea and Maura Harringhtons hunger strike. In complete contrast to the shinanagans in Mayo and Tara, Gardai were civil, professional and impartial. When the SuperIntendant was asked what he thought of the garda involvement in Mayo he replied, ‘thats not the force I joined 20 yrs ago’.

At 9.30am 13 Pixies entered the construction site of theillegal M3 north of Kells stopping apx 10 machines in their tracks. After negotiations via phone with Paddy Clarke, a subcontractor, from ontop of his tarmacing machine, where he explained that if the tarmac was allowed to harden for even 10 mins longer it was going to cost him personally e250,000 to fix the machine , campaigners agreed to allow the machine unload in the middle of the site on conditions that no more work would be done in that section till mid-day. This was agreed on by Mr Clarke, the campaigners and the SuperIntendant and at mid-day the campaigners walked off site leaving the workers chiseling away.

It has become common knowledge that none of the sub-contractors on the M3 have been paid properly by SIAC/FERROVIAL yet, some of them now being owed for over 16 mths work. Howley Construction, one of the main contractors went into liquidation last month but yesterday one of the workers explained that SIAC had bought all of Howleys machines, hired howleys drivers and put them back on the road. Several of the other sub-contractors have pulled out of the project since they were told that SIAC /FERROVIAL are not legally obligued to pay them for 5 yrs. Rumours of Wilis Bros selling machines half price for cash to pay workers and the throves of men being let go without redundancy or notice are flooding the county. Yet again its the ordinary decent folk who suffer.

At 2.00pm 13 Pixies entered the construction site of the illegal M3 south of Dunshaughlin at Fairyhouse stopping apx 17 machines in their tracks. One digger driver explained it was his first day back after 9 wks being rained-off unpaid due to bad weather and flooding . The flooding didn’t surprise him as he said, ‘sure they are trying to build this damned road through every bog in the county’. A fact that the residents of Trevet and the Red Bog know only too well. Since construction started their water-table is completely polluted and undrinkable. Some quite comical and pathetic attempts by one of the workers to spray The Pixies with muddy water from a tankar being pulled by a tractor by the order of Marcus Hargreaves Project Manager M3 kept the dormant construction workers entertained. By 4.30pm , neither Gardai or private security MD Security had showed up and The Pixies ended their demonstration of passive resistance and left the site disappeaering into the hedges yet again.

Nil neart go cur le cheile - Erin Abu
www.tarapixie.net
www.corribsos.com

shell to sea rethink M3

Dempsey we cant afford this.

by todays papers Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:17

www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0916/1221430255966.html

http://www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story....1.asp

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/shell-accused-o....html

by Damien Moran Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:12

How dare Shell accuse the exemplary non violent campaign against Shell throughout Ireland as violent - Shell employees, go learn the history of your own employer.
http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=305

Here is a link to Irish Times article on suspected bomb outside Shell HQ:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0916/1....html

by K Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:59

Just phoned the Solitaire and was answered immediately by a very polite crew member who was apologetic that he was unable to make comment on the
reports made in the media that their vessel is rusty wreck ready for the scrapheap (along with the pipes).
On pressing him on date of departure I was told to ring
Allseas: 0031 152 681 800 lengthy discussion which got no confirmed date of departure.In fact the opposite as they stated that the Solitaire would not necessarily have to return to Holland for repair.

They confirmed that they have read Maura Harrington`s statement of demands but will make no comments .Instead directing me to call Corrib House .

The phone has been ringing out..........

PLEASE CALL ALLSEAS AND SOLITAIRE .

Allseas: 0031 152 681 800

Solitaire0047 5140 7930 ext. 10

by Damien Moran Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:32

Sent yesterday. Thought it might be of use to those who don't are wondering what others have written. Any news as to whether Maura has come off her strike? Congrats to all on the front line, you are an inspiration to us all. I just read Michael McCaughan's book published by Afri, 'The Price of our souls: Gas, Shell and Ireland' and hope to get it put in my local library. Well done to all who attended and organsed recent rallies and solidarity actions.

To Mr. van der Plicht and the entire Allseas Group SA staff,

As a 28 year old Irish man I tonight appeal to your humanity. 2 words: Maura Harrington. It is likely that you will never have a more important request made to you from complete strangers than those you have received from Maura and her friends over the past week. Addressing you not as captain of a ship, lawyer, crew member or shareholder, for you are much more than any of these titles encapsulate, I thus speak directly to you as a fellow human being and request that you do everything required to remove the ship Solitaire from Irish waters immediately.

Swift action on your part will ensure that a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbour, friend and Irish citizen will continue to live and enjoy life and see her grandchildren grow up to be as responsible, dedicated and loving as their grandmother is.

Are you yourself not one or more of father, mother, son, daughter, grandfather, grandmother, brother, sister, neighbour, friend and inhabitant of some beautiful city or countryside district? Maybe you can empathise with the residents of Rossport and their love for their surrounding environs? Are we not all one when it comes to identity with place, memory, family, community, tradition and the will to ensure prosperous futures for your loved ones? These are surely universal concerns and I am confident in assuming that these issues are to the fore of your priorities in life.

So I appeal to you, please bring about the immediate conditions whereby there can be an imminent public announcement that the Solitaire will depart from Irish waters and not engage in the great Corrib gas giveaway, nor be complicit in the tragic death of Maura Harrington.

Sincerely yours,
Damien Moran
(Address included)

by Jimbob Tue Sep 16, 2008 09:50

If this is true, then it's great news, not only for the campaign but also for Maura's health. We are all very worried about her.
The only thing I've heard on the news about the Shell to Sea project is this very dodgy report of a 'device' being discovered near Corrib House. Shell of course issued a press release suggesting that the campaign had taken a sinister turn.

Does anyone have any good info on this? Where supposedly was the object?
I don't think any member of a Shell to Sea campaign in the country would be so stupid as to think such a tactic would be justified, or in line with the peaceful tactics adopted by the Shell to Sea campaign.
Nobody has made death threats or made violent assaults against the Shell staff, and nobody wants to blow them up.
Either this was the work or a deranged nutter, or it's a dirty tricks campaign by Shell and their Harcourt Square buddies to undermine the campaign.

There has been times in the past when people have accused members of the Gardai or other forces of planting dummy bombs purely so they themselves can find them. Donegal springs to mind.
It wouldn't surprise me one bit to find that it was a crude dummy and was positioned for PR purposes in a convenient hiding spot, not actually at the front entrance.

At any rate, Shell to Sea should get out a press release immediately (perhaps a joint one between the Dublin Shell to Sea and Rossport)

The only groups endangering the lives of others are Shell and the Garda Siochana.

by Sarah - N/A Tue Sep 16, 2008 09:16

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0916/1....html

Also positive-ish pieces from Michael D and the London Protest

by Ciaron - Catholic Worker/Ploughshares Tue Sep 16, 2008 04:32

Congrats & solidarity to al those who hit the streets and the waves. The kayakers, the lock ons, the autonomous cycling grafittist, the hunger striker, the beach walkers, those in the Garda/Solitaire/navy who may have sympathised & self sabotaged, the locals & the outside agitators, those who got busted, those who mobilised in Mayo, around the country, around the world, those who lost sleep work and weight.

Keep on keeping on
It ain't over til it's over
See y'all around the traps

by Damien Moran Tue Sep 16, 2008 03:46

It's Western Pipeline. Click and some to read the rest. Great article. Irish Times reported today that repair work would have to be done in Rotterdam.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0915/...6.htm

by Damien Moran Tue Sep 16, 2008 03:37

Some people felt as if their prayers were answered as the Solitaire limped away from Broadhaven Bay in north Mayo. The largest pipe-laying vessel in the world had been reduced to a bouncing buoy in the choppy waters of Erris. One woman commented: “Thank God. He is listening to us.” There are many people praying over the Corrib issue. The priests of Kilcommon parish are at the forefront of leading their parishioners in very difficult times, facing the rap of the corporate rather than the Episcopal crosier. They are standing alongside their people as the community is being split by the actions of an inept Government and the carelessness of politicians.
The Solitaire was greeted by kayaks, canoes, trawlers and fishing gear as it broke the waves of disbelief and disappointment. For some people its presence reminded them of the grim reaper. The death of innocence was close.

http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&tas...id=38

by western pipeline? Tue Sep 16, 2008 00:55

what paper is that?

by MacG Mon Sep 15, 2008 22:37

The machinery is mangled and the crew are downhearted as the world’s largest pipe-laying wreck prepares itself for salvage after the latest Corrib Disaster. Eddie Lounds wonders what went wrong with the Solitaire.
The Corrib offshore pipeline, due for construction since early August, remains a distant dream for Shell this week after “technical difficulties” left the project in disarray.
Solitaire, twice as rusty as the Eiffel Tower, limped back into Killybegs only hours after it’s arrival in Broadhaven Bay.
After waiting over two months for a “suitable weather window” the ship left for duty during the tail-end of a hurricane, and entered the stormy waters of the controversial Corrib gas saga.

"Shell’s ability to bring projects to completion is now in serious doubt"

by Cynic Mon Sep 15, 2008 16:00

"Maura continues her incredibly courageous and selfless action".

While I whole heartley support Shell To Sea and wish the campaign the very best I disagree with Maura going on hunger strike and would call it far from courageous or a selfless action I dont agree with one woman campaigns but do wish her well health and the best.

by Ciaron - Catholic Worker/ Ploughshares Mon Sep 15, 2008 13:17

Response to "Long Time Republican"
(No name, we're going to have to take his/her word for it)

It is unfrotunate that this medium is the only one I see available to have this discussion and is of course under constant surveillance by right wing media, state and cops. Unfortunately the impending death of an activist and the lack of any direct face to face briefings from S2S means this is all we got.

"Maura has made her demand clear - the removal of the solitaire from Irish territorical waters. She has also made it clear that she intends to remain on hungerstrike till such a time as that happens. Maura is no fool. She knows the risk that she is running but she also knows the potential that she is creating."

Ok that was one thing when it was a solo unilateral contribution to this campaign (like my autonomous mate cycling around doing graffitti at night as his contribution).

It's now quite another thing, that S2S has embraced the open ended hunger strike as a centrepiece for the campaign. Do S2S want us who don't agree with the open ended hunger strike to stand down on being active on this issue until the hunger strike concludes? If that's what S2S wants they should issue a statement to that effect and I & others will stand down until the hunger striker concludes in victory or death.

"You can disagree with her decision to go on strike and you can disagree with her decision to stay on strike but talk of 'interventions' on a public forum will only weaken the campaign."

When did debate within the movement, transparency and the right of tendency become a "weakness"?

"Your friend from an organisation with experience of hungerstrikes should have also have told you that in 1981 the issue of 'interventions' was used by the British government as a lever to try and create division between the hunger strikers themselves, between the men and their families and between the families and the organisations to which the men belonged."

I'm not sure if he rates me as a friend, but I think he respects me as an activist with different politics united by a campaign to resist Shell/Irish government's attack on the people of Rossport.

Do not confuse this hunger strike with the H Block one....
-that one was collectively mandated, this one is unilateral
-that one was undertaken by men in their 20's & 30's with a near monastic focus and preparation, (I assume) who had an (alcohol free) military fitness regime and accompaniment by those who collectively mandated their course of action, this one is undertaken by a 7 stone womaan in her '50's
-that one was undertaken in cells relatively free of distraction, this one is taking place in a car surrounded by cops revving engines to keep the striker sleep deprived
-that one was opposed by the leadership outside the jail, the leadership is has gone M.I.A. here

"Many well-meaning people were used to this end. Dont be so naieve as to think that shell will not use the same tactic now."

-I'm not naieve, as outlined in the original post I've had a number of experiences with hunger strikes in various countries and contexts.

"If you wish to pursue the issue of 'interventions' you should do so in less public forums - such as in shell the sea meetings."

The urgency comes from the prediction last Thursday that she wouldn't last a week before irreparable damage was done. Where have these less public forums taken place since last Thursday. I'm easily contactable. If you or anyone else desires a face to face with me, I'll be outside the GPO Monday 4pm-6pm vigiling against Irish complicity in the deaths of 1 million Iraqis as Shell and other energy companies loot their country.

"And whatever your intentions you should take your decisions with respect for Maura's intelligence and integrity and in the knowledge that additional stress is the last thing that Maura needs at this time."

If you, & S2S, expected only uncritical support from the entire movement on this dramatic/maybe fatal course of action, the movement should have been well briefed from the outset and advised to stand down for this period if disagreeing with this tactic. Cop on, indeed.

"What we all need to do now is to rapidly build a campaign on the streets in support of Maura. Adverse publicity in the international arena is the strongest tool at our disposal. Images of hundreds or thousands of people mobilising in support of a middle-ages woman on hungerstrike on the doorstep of Shell's compound will have a better chance of saving Mauras life then any 'interventions' will."

Hundreds of thousands of people in the streets in 03 didn't stop Ahern, Cowen and co. provide the petrol pump that is Shannon Airport to the U.S. military to conduct their now 5 year killing spree in Iraq. NVDA delivered the goods (one plane sent back to Texas, Irish Army deployed to airport, 4 U.S. companies pulling out of Shannon/only returning when assured there was going to be no more NVDA, 7 million euro spent in the last 2 years on cops waiting for us to come back again etc.)

"Maura is already doing her bit. The rest of us need to do ours."
Iam doing my bit, this is a distracting me, and other activists, from it.

"The nightly vigil outside Shell HQ organised by Dublin Shell to Sea is an excellant idea and we all need to make sure that it builds rapidly over through this week."

Don't make supporting someone die a prerequisite and your demonstrations will be bigger and the solidarity more expansive. Emotional blackmail won't work on the captain of the Soltaire (there is little emotion to blackmail) and is only only dividing and confusing the rest of us.

"Similiarly we need to make sure that as many people as possible join in the 24 hour fast at midnight on Friday night outside the same building.

Others across the country need to follow that lead and start organising local vigils in town centres, on bridges at crossroads and roundabouts."

Sincerely, good luck everybody with whatever your doing.
Best wishes to Maura

by Jane in munster Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:39

I'll start by saying that I support Maura Harrington 100%. Maura did not come to this decision on a whim and she did not plan this last week or last month even.

The Shell to Sea Campaign now has a challenge. This campaign has been the most important of its nature in Irish history. Every devisive strategy by the state, shell, politicians, egos on a local and national level (within shell to sea)have been used to great success. Most readers of Indymedia are well informed as to what the issues are. So I will leave those for another date.

Right now Its time for for

Shell to Sea
Pobal Chill Comain
Sinn Fein
Various Republican Groups
The Greens
SWP
WSM
WP
The ' hippies' no offence intended.
Mark Garvan
Jerry Crowley (eerie silence)
Erris Fishemen

to move forward. Lets not let the rot infect the movement ever again. The state has sat by and watched us chase our tails. Maura Harrington might die. People within the campaign have shunned her courage in the past, i challenge them to take a long look in the mirror and get over themselves.

I remeber Back almost two years ago when battons where out and the media was watching we doubted ourselves (some did anyway). A mistake we cannot afford to make again. Look into your hearts and see how this campaign CAN succeed. Get the Resource Revenue back for social services, send a message to the energy industry, and hopefully Justice for all who have been batoned, pushed, jailed, arrested, intimidated and had their community split in two and turned against each other. !!

by Jacqueline Fallon Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:06

Quoting Ciarán:
“I do not want to be part of events (like the action called for Shell HQ Monday) that appear to me to be cheerleading this woman to her death. My solidarity activism will decrease if I am asked to take that position, it will further decrease following this death.”

I am also in the same leaking boat as Ciarán as I am concerned now that by participating in Shell to Sea demos that I would be viewed as supporting Maura’s hunger strike (which I do not!) - rather than the campaign. I believe that if this hunger strike ends in Maura’s death, that it will not mobilise people - but cause utter devastation and life long untold suffering to her family and close friends, and also to her many supporters, who whilst not supporting her hunger strike have supported the Shell to Sea campaign from the start. A lot of general support will be lost if a life is lost - as the majority on this island value human life above any campaign/cause and the general public will blame the campaign for not intervening to prevent her death.

I do not approve of hunger strikes. Too many people on this island over the centuries since Brehon law existed have died needlessly on hunger strike with very little gained at all with many today unbelievably asking what they died for and why they did it. In recent times, the Hunger Strike in 1981 comes to mind, where 10 brave Volunteers gave their precious lives up to obtain rights that today no longer exist. In total 22 hunger strikers have died since 1917 for Irish freedom, which today has been totally abandoned by those in Leinster House. My point is that, it seems to me as time goes by people move on with their lives and forget or don’t appreciate the great sacrifices made by others who have gone before and who have died on hunger strike for many different causes of which there have been countless on this island and some barely remembered now.

Maura, please end your hunger strike, I met your beautiful young daughter at the GPO at the solidarity demo on Saturday, your life is far too precious to her and to the rest of your family. You, Maura, are much more valuable than any campaign - please end it for your family’s sake.

Maura, we all share your sentiments and the frustration and admire greatly your commitment to the Shell to Sea campaign, but it is time to collectively find a better way of moving forward with the campaign and expressing our anger and frustration in a more productive, long lasting and effective way.

A Mháire, beannacht Dé ort.

by Long Time Republican Mon Sep 15, 2008 09:10

While not wanting to censor anyone's viewpoint I think those who are discussing making 'interventions' via the internet need to cop themsleves on. The situation is very simple. Maura has made her demand clear - the removal of the solitaire from Irish territorical waters. She has also made it clear that she intends to remain on hungerstrike till such a time as that happens. Maura is no fool. She knows the risk that she is running but she also knows the potential that she is creating.

You can disagree with her decision to go on strike and you can disagree with her decision to stay on strike but talk of 'interventions' on a public forum will only weaken the campaign. Your friend from an organisation with experience of hungerstrikes should have also have told you that in 1981 the issue of 'interventions' was used by the British government as a lever to try and create division between the hungerstrikers themselves, between the men and their families and between the families and the organisations to which the men belonged. Many well-meaning people were used to this end. Dont be so naieve as to think that shell will not use the same tactic now. If you wish to pursue the issue of 'interventions' you should do so in less public forums - such as in shell the sea meetings. And whatever your intentions you should take your decisions with respect for Maura's intelligence and integrity and in the knowledge that additional stress is the last thing that Maura needs at this time.

What we all need to do now is to rapidly build a campaign on the streets in support of Maura. Adverse publicity in the international arena is the strongest tool at our disposal. Images of hundreds or thousands of people mobilising in support of a middle-ages woman on hungerstrike on the doorstep of Shell's compound will have a better chance of saving Mauras life then any 'interventions' will.

Maura is already doing her bit. The rest of us need to do ours.

The nightly vigil outside Shell HQ organised by Dublin Shell to Sea is an excellant idea and we all need to make sure that it builds rapidly over through this week. Similiarly we need to make sure that as many people as possible join in the 24 hour fast at midnight on Friday night outside the same building.

Others across the country need to follow that lead and start organising local vigils in town centres, on bridges at crossroads and roundabouts.

by Ciaron - Catholic Worker/ Ploughshares Mon Sep 15, 2008 07:45 Dublin

"A respectful plea to Shell to Sea and all who post here
author by ciarrog eile publication date Mon Sep 15, 2008 06:39"

Very reluctantly, and obviously very ineffectually, I have tried to intervene since checking in with a dozen activists at the GPO solidarity vigil on Saturday and with other experienced activists nationally and internationally over the internet to take advice on what is the best way to intervene.

The post on "Questioning the Tactic Open Ended Hunger Strikes" (I have never questioned Maura's integrity) was initially removed by indy editors. I then posted it as an Opinion Piece to avoid distraction on this thread in terms of building the campaign. It was then moved back to this thread. There has been only a couple of specific rebuttals or responses to the arguments raised, causes of concern expressed , or the proposals I have suggested to end the hunger strike well, on this thread. There has been a few emails from a activists who share similar concerns - they suggest leave it to folks up there closer to Maura to make an intervention.

On Saturday a S2S organiser suggested we can talk about it on Tuesday night (another very anxious S2S organiser - from an organisation that has had a lot of experience with hunger stirkes that havre ended in death of participants - last Thursday didn't think Maura would last until Tuesday night.)

I think we as a movement need to take the initiative and intervene in the hope of preserving a life and a great asset to our movement and avoid the demoralisation in the movement that will surely accompany Maura's death.

As a movement we need to thank Maura for a very serious, courageous and effective 7 day hunger strike. We need to acknowledge that the Irish government, Shell and the Solatare don't care if we all die and how many people they kill (in NIgeria, Rossport, Iraq et. al.) to make energy profits or to secure bribes in the process. We need to mourn all the people they have killed already in those and other places.

We need to thank Maura and ask her to conclude her strike for the sake of our movement and victory over Shell and the state.

I have upped my solidarity with the Rossport campaign (as I did during the Rossport 5 jailings) even though this is not my primary organising focus (anti-war) in response to the recent NVDA, cop roughing up and arrests at Rossport. I am now confused. I do not want to be part of events (like the action called for Shell HQ Monday) that appear to me to be cheerleading this woman to her death. My solidarity activism will decrease if I am asked to take that position, it will further decrease following this death. I'm sure there are many others in the same (leaking) boat as myself.

We need to take the initiative back form the captain of the Soltaire and end this strike well, if we are in fact a movement and not a bunch of atomised individuals.

by ciarrog eile Mon Sep 15, 2008 06:39

My dearest and oldest, kindest, most caring, most sensitive, most romantic, most passionate and most loyal friend, Maura Harrington, needs your meaningful support now more than any "cause" needs mere words or bluster.

I say *meaningful* because your action, not your bluster, are vital now.

Her sense of commitment and her passion for justice must have left her with
no choice in this situation as she perceives it.

Her perception is without doubt under strain to the maximum.

Therefore she needs your practical help and participation in the situation
that effects all of you - effects some of your practical interests much more than it directly should effect hers or that of her children, her mother, her husband or her dear friend who is far away.

For eight years now, Maura has been consistently and endlessly resourceful and as wise as anybody of her superior intelligence and fierce compassion could possibly be.

On your behalf, she has risked everything - her health, her friendships,
the well-being of her family.

She is now under untold strain and, by her own lights, has no choice but to risk her very life.

Those of you who share her position and who can now sleep at all at night, who have children or granchildren whom you can comfortably hope to see grow and flourish anywhere on this earth, must not allow Maura to
lose her life on your behalf.

If you truly support her, you must immediately and with the utmost urgency offer her full participation in her sacrifice or intervene to help her gain a perspective that is healthy for herself - for her body and her spirit - and help her to end her hunger strike with dignity.

Maura placed her life in the hands of the master of the Solitaire.

I am begging you, those for whom she did this, to use the best resources
of your well-nourished minds and bodies on her behalf.

So far, your presence and support and your words notwithstanding, Maura has, in a very real way, taken on this sacrifice alone. This little person of untold mettle but frailty of body needs your help to survive.

You are physically there. Do what you should.

You must have a greater part to play in saving her life.

If you truly support her and have a stake in this protest and ultimate sacrifice,
I suggest you should join her in her hunger strike or equal her bravery by risking a massive effort to save her from her own choice in spite of her protests.

Otherwise, sadly, you may be just as responsible for her death as
that man on the Solitaire. - And she has trusted you more.

by Shane - WSM pers. cap Sun Sep 14, 2008 15:36 wsm.ie

Aljezeera are reporting that the Movement For the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, an armed struggle movement which emerged out of frustration with the Nigerian government's disregard for local people's rights in Ogoniland and neighbouring areas, has declared "Operation Barbarossa" and is moving militarily against oil conglomerates in the Niger Delta.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2008/09/200891....html

by ActivistLifeIsRareAndPrecious Sat Sep 13, 2008 21:03

Maura, you're strength is an asset to the movement. But you can do more alive. Your death will mean nothing to shell or our spineless corrupt government and will not change things. Don't wall yourself in. Find a way to end this protest without climbing down, then continue the struggle. A lot can be achieved without anyone dying. Ciaron's idea of a relay hunger strike was interesting. There must be another way.

by J K Sat Sep 13, 2008 16:16

Mentioning the mainstream media induces feelings of nausea especially in light of the Rossport situation, but the station in Montrose Dublin 4, garbled a rapid report, which I missed, about the Soltaire and Shell on the 1 pm bulletin today.

Is there a new development does anyone know ?

Solidarity to Rossport and all brave men and women up there,speed this ship's departure and health for our Maura
J K

by Ciaron - Catholic Worker/ Ploughshares Sat Sep 13, 2008 12:46

Shadow "Please end the hunger strike by the shadow - I have marched on this issue, leafleted and picketed. I fully support muintir Erris in their campaign. I respect and admire Maura Harrington. That said i would ask those in the campaign to ask Maura to come off her fast. etc...."
I feel obligated to respond to the above post after viewing the video footage of the interview with Maura posted on indy. I was surprised when folks expressed so much so concern so early at the GPO on Thursday (3rd. day in to the strike) and then pretty shocked by the footage posted Friday 4 days in?) by MK on indy - in terms of Maura's health...as much as I can tell from Dublin over the internet. I'm reluctant to respond publicly at this time due to the risk of undermining Maura's course of conscience and distracting from the issue at hand. But as the strike goes on such discussion will be increasingly limited.

Hunger strikes (& self immolations) come in many forms inside and outside of a jail (for a start), collectively mandated (H Block), individually inspired (Terence McSweeney), a solo act in hope to mobilise mass action, also a last ditch act of either existential/spiritual integrity or acts of desperation when there seems to be no other options to the person (in the '60's self immolation of Buddhist monks in Vietnam, Catholic Worker Roger Laporte U.N. Building, Quaker at the Pentagon, during Gulf War 1 3 cases one at Amherst Uni campus ...who am I to judge the motives of the dead with no right of reply?)

My experiences with hunger strikes is limited. I did solidarity for an '83 total collective action (500 prisoners) hunger strike in Boggo Rd. Jail/Brisbane when the whole jail went on strike. The Jail Minister Muntz ended the strike, quickly escalating it into a $3 million riot with the phrase "Let them starve!" (One wonders if this is the present attitude of the Irish government, Shell, Soltaire etc?)

I have participated in three 10 day fasts (limited/ not open ended) hunger strikes in U.S./Australian prisons. Also a collective hunger strike (you were bashed if you didn't participate) in a Texas Prison that also escalated into a riot and arson after a few days of the authorities refusing to negotiate (didn't agree with the associated violence but this seem to work probably due to the setting and the warden, conditions improved!) I was also part of a serious discussion by a serious highly decorated military veteran/ peace activist as he seriously contemplated self immolation in response to the U.S. wars on Central America in the '80's (I and everyone else opposed, he didn't do it and has continued serious nonviolent resistance/prison time over the past 20 years).

My limited understanding of hunger strikes in Irish tradition is that when a community member ripped you off, one would sit on their doorstep and go on open ended hunger strike, that may lead to the community considering the issues and ostracism/boycott of the offender until they righted their ways. Correct me if I'm wrong here? It's one thing to use this against a community member and one thing to employ it against an occupying military force, Shell, Solatire etc. It doesn't have the same leverage.

The example of Gandhi was the use of the hunger to discipline his own movement, not to mobilise it, for the independence of India when it drifted into sectarian violence...Hindus killing Muslims killing Hindus. Gandhi did not use the hunger strike against the occupying British power. (Gandhi lost this one, India got partitioned on sectarian lines and now we may be months away from the nuclear exchange as conclusion of his loss!).

It is difficult to have this discussion for the reasons offered at the outset of this post. It will be more difficult as Maura becomes weaker over the days ahead. If this is a tactic against Shell, she will have to consider at what point it becomes a distraction and not a contribution to the resistance against Shell?

Maybe there is away to end the hunger strike in a creative nondefeatest way. Maybe some of us could offer to take her place in relay? Maybe she could call for escalated nonviolent resistance and we could try and match it. Maybe we could offer such a level to her to consider coming off it. I dunno, I haven't got the answer but the movement should consider posing these and other questions. The discussion is going to get more difficult as the days of the hunger strike go on.

I have massive respect for Maura, and her activism, and I respect that this has been an act of sincere conscience. I don't support, even with my silence, a course that could conclude in her death.

I know that I haven't done enough about the issues/situation at Rossport and haven't offered enough solidarity to those, like Maura and many others up there, who have. These are similar to the feelings I was left with a couple of weeks ago when a former work colleague and acquaintance took her life in Dublin a few weeks after I had met her again at a gig. And maybe those feelings are contributing to me writing this post.

by Chrissie Sat Sep 13, 2008 09:19

Watck Madam K's video interview with Maura, and judge for yourself: http://www.politube.org/show/914

by liz Sat Sep 13, 2008 00:21

bus eireann has an online offer of 10 euro return fares to Ballina from where you can get a McGrath's coach to pollintomish. don't know if can get this fare at busarus or only online. need to print out email confirmation.

see yus there.

liz

by cable Fri Sep 12, 2008 22:18

Please keep requesting Allseas to pull Solitaire out of Irish waters, & get your friends, union, college, church, etc., to join in.

by Shell to Sea Switzerland Fri Sep 12, 2008 20:25

I visited the corporate head office of Allseas Group S.A. in Châtel-Saint-Denis, Switzerland, this afternoon. I went to the office with a Shell to Sea letter that highlights the Solitaire's arrival in Broadhaven Bay, the related hunger strike of Maura Harrington and Maura's statement that she will continue her hunger strike as long as the Solitaire remains in Irish territorial waters.
I met a receptionist and I asked her if she could bring me to somebody who is responsable for the Solitaire but this was not possible and I told her that Shell to Sea Switzerland is concerned about Maura Harrington's hunger strike due to Solitaire's appearance in Broadhaven Bay. The receptionist admitted that she "knows about the woman" and said that she will deliver the letter to someone who is in charge of the problem. I add some photos taken of the outside of the office, the through road near the office and the address and phone number of Allseas.

by Chrissie Fri Sep 12, 2008 17:32

Long life and good health to Maura; none of us wants to lose her. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

by Margaret O'Regan - Cork Shell To Sea -and- SWP Fri Sep 12, 2008 17:03

I have sent the following e-mail to public.relations@allseas.com.

Dear Sir/Madam,

In your website, you claim that one of your "distinguishing features" is a "no-nonsense attitude". You further state that "no technology can replace human judgment".

As the owner of the Solitaire, the ship currently in Irish territorial waters - now damaged, and unable to do the work it was contracted to do, one would presume - I call upon you to have a no-nonsense attitude, and to consequently remove it from Irish terroritial waters. On confirmation that the Solitaire is in international waters, Maura Harrington, School Principal, Shell To Sea activist, will come off her hunger strike, as you are aware.

Whoever is reading this letter must be a human being - it is hardly likely that a machine is doing so. Therefore, use your human judgment, and do the right thing. Otherwise, you and your Company will be responsible for the death of this brave woman, whose stance is supported throughout Ireland and the world.

In your website you also state "We acknowledge that reputation, responsibility and integrity form the cornerstone of our existence, realising that our future is shaped by our performance and behaviour of today. This will determine our reputation for a long time to come."

Quite obviously, if you do not order the Solitaire off Irish territorial waters, your reputation will be in shreds forever, and, on the death of Maura Harrington, you will have shown a total lack of responsibility, and will be left with no integrity whatever.

If your own words on your own website are true, if they have any meaning for you, then act immediately and send this ship, the Solitaire, out of Irish territorial waters. This is urgent - time is of the essence.

Yours truly,

Margaret O'Regan,
Cork City,
Ireland.
Cork Shell To Sea.

by the shadow - none Fri Sep 12, 2008 16:23

I have marched on this issue, leafletted and picketed. I fully support muintir Erris in their campaign.

I respect and admire Maura Harrington.

That said i would ask those in the campaign to ask Maura to come off her fast.
If she does not do it soon she will suffer severe damage to her body. She may die.
I do not want that and neither do her neighbours, her friends and those she has taught over the years.
Hunger strikes can take on a ghoulish momentum of their own.
I see it in some of the posts.

Maura , a chroi, you have done more than anyone else in this campaign. You have shown dignity and spirit.. .

Giving up the fast will not lessen what you have done. You have broken through the wall of silence in the media
on the ongoing issues with Shell.

I say all this not to be critical but to be supportive of you.
I hope you get this message and hope to see you hale and hearty soon

by kraken Fri Sep 12, 2008 13:03

We know the stinger was extended in 2005 & we even have a video of the work done it - http://www.allseas.com/uk/70/projects/most-challenging-....html & so good pictures of the damage are interesting. Doesn't that look like careful and uniform cutting through the girders rather than irregular damage which would be caused by a tussle with a mutant sized lobster - to anyone else? Bearing in mind that lobsters are one of the few creatures that can go on growing all their lives & their lives have no natural time-limit. Perhaps we're talking about mysterious frogpeople of the ancient order of Dagon taking it out on the Irish state by cutting the stinger in Broadaven bay & then to rub in the point travelled at 90knots an hour to the Bay of Biscay to punch holes in the keel of the Asgard.

we may have no proof of these beings yet
but it's high time we respected them.

by Irishmags Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:09

Hopefully will happen in Auslandsjournal on ZDF will tell more when i know. ZDF work closely together with swiss television
Good luck everyone
Irishmags

by s2s Switzerland Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:14

please let us know if german television will broadcast something about the solitaire, etc. if they do that i will inform swiss television about it. i already sent a press release to them and other swiss media on wednesday but the information about a german television broadcast would put pressure and wake interest on the swiss television! thanks!

by Three Castle Head Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:07

public.relations@allseas.com
(an e mail to info @allseas.com apparently bounced)
Perhaps e mail 1 with a copy to 2

by George Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:56

Anybody got the latest news?
Is Maura still on hunger strike?

by Irishmags Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:11

German Television contacted by myself,
Are interested in the happenings person in editorial department was astonished at happening.

News is getting out.

God bless you Maura.

Irishmags in Germany

by Malachy Steenson - The Workers Party Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:00 malachyst at gmail dot com

The President of the Workers’ Party has pledged his party’s continuing support to the community of Rossport and the Erris peninsula in the ongoing struggle of the Shell to Sea campaign.

Mr. Michael Finnegan said, "At this critical time The Workers' Party wishes to convey our total and continuing support for the struggle of the people of Rossport and environs against the depredations of Shell Oil and its cohorts, against the abject surrender of the State to big oil, and of the deployment of the Gardaí and Naval Service who are being used as the enforcers for this profit-hungry international consortium".

Speaking at a Workers’ Party meeting in Ballyfermot, Dublin last night, Mr. Finnegan stated that on a national level the Corrib Gas deal represented daylight robbery of Ireland’s natural resources and on a local level it represented an ongoing and life-threatening danger to local residents and local fishermen.

"Shell Oil", said Mr Finnegan, "or indeed any of the other companies in the Corrib project have no loyalty to the Irish people or the people of Mayo. They have no respect for the environment as can be seen from Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico. They have no respect democracy, human rights, or the rights of indigenous people as is most blatantly seen in Nigeria. Their only loyalty is to their corporate shareholders and expanding their already bloated profit margins. We must ask why they are in Mayo, and say quite clearly that they, and their bullying tactics, are not welcome".

"Since the early 1970s", continued Mr Finnegan, "the Workers Party has highlighted the robbery of our natural resources by international conglomerates and the collusion in this robbery by both the Irish government and the gombeen Irish capitalist class. From the Tynagh Mines to the Kinsale Gas field, or from the Navan Mines to the present day Corrib Gas robbery nothing has changed except the names of some of the actors. Our Natural Gas, one of the most valuable commodities in the world; will be pumped away without one Cent in royalties or profits going to our cash-strapped government coffers. The complete irony is that the Norwegian Government, through their ownership of Statoil, will end up with over 25% of the profits from the Corrib field."

"Once again we congratulate the Rossport Five, Maura Harrington, and all those other local residents who, against all the odds and the forces of the state, are confronting the might of the international oil giants in the interests of their local community"

by Reefa - Shell 2 Sea supporter Fri Sep 12, 2008 09:24

Maura is so brave, taking a selfless stand against the blatant disregard by shell of the Mayo community.

Solidarity!

by JustSomeGuy Fri Sep 12, 2008 08:45

Ciaran o murchu for pobail le cheile tries a softer approach for shell on morning ireland
they slipped this one in just in time to get all the motorists driving to work on 11th sept

Listen for yourself here:

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0911/morningireland_av.html...l,209

Hmmmm....some quotes (responses in brackets are mine!)

A "real compromise"?? (shell get their gas free)
"we believe it would have 99% support in the erris community" ??
"it would deliver the gas much quicker for the irish people" (for who??????!!!!!!!)
"because we know the politicians and the irish people want this gas"
(but who actually gets it, and essentially for free??)
"pobail le cheile are pro gas and we want to see the gas come in as quickly as possible"
(of course you do, you sneaky little media weasel!!! )
"build an onshore refinery at glinsk"
"we met enda kenny two days ago" (aha! )

So it seems shell have a softly softly "plan b" to get their free gas.

by Ethel and Tom Corduff - Shell to Sea Supporters Fri Sep 12, 2008 02:20

Maura is fearless and so brave. We hope and pray it will not be the worst outcome.
It has been disclosed that the founder - Pieter Schiolte Herrema of the Allsoas Group which owns the Solitare is an unrepentent Nazi. Now is his opportunity to make some amends for his past. We have sent the company the following e mail-
"With the huge publicity surrounding the Solitare entering and then leaving Broadhaven Bay your companies reputation is at stake. By leaving Irish Territorial Waters today, by doing so Maura Harrington will come off her hunger strike. Your company (unlke Shell) will be feted for its good sense and fair play on this occasion throughout the world.

by S2Ser abroad - WSM Fri Sep 12, 2008 01:08

Maura your courage is amazing.

Solidarity and best wishes.

by Aidan Fri Sep 12, 2008 01:02

To Whom it may Concern,

I wish to register my outrage at the use of Allseas' vessel the "Solitaire" in the unsafe, unwanted and illegal Corrib Gas project in the West of Ireland.

The operation, in conjunction with Shell Oil, threatens to despoil a uniquely precious and beautiful environment as well as to remove a vital natural resource from public hands, and has met with nonviolent resistence locally and all over Ireland.

A local woman, Maura Harrington, has begun a hunger strike which will not stop until Allseas' vessel has left Irish territorial waters.

Please convey this message to Allseas' management.

Yours

by TD - RSC Fri Sep 12, 2008 00:02

Maura is now into Day 3 of her hunger strike and already concern is being expressed for the health of this fragile woman, with a doctor summoned this morning, that she is much loved was glaringly self evident in the constant stream of people who came to the front gates of Shell's Glengad compound throughout today and deep into the night to express empathy and solidarity; from the women in distress to the men, many deeply angered that things have been allowed to come to such a desperate pass, all knowing that this strong woman is not for the turning.

Maura tonight

by Erris Head Thu Sep 11, 2008 23:44

They need to know that there is a 54 year old woman whose health is deteriorating and that their shiny corporate image is at stake.
(No joking intended)

Allseas Group S.A.

81, Route de la Coula
CH 1618, Chatel st Denis
SWITZERLAND
www.allseas.com Contact:
Phone: (+412) 19 48 91 91
Fax: (+412) 19 48 91 41
Email: info@allsea.com

by Starstruck - WSM (pers cap) and Rossport Solidarity Camp Thu Sep 11, 2008 23:30

Firstly , thanks to everyone who turned out at the solidarity demo.
The news has been relayed to Maura, the locals and the camp activists and was received with great warmth and appreciation.
The energy levels down here are remarkably high,despite many people only having got 3-4 hours sleep for the past few nights.
Solidarity demos are helping keep us going,as is the knowledge that Shell and the state have been wounded by recent events.
Keep it up!!

UPDATE

MAURA AND THE SOLITAIRE

As I write I have just came from the gates of the compound where Maura continues her incredibly courageous and selfless action.
The numbers have swelled in the past hour,as the camp meeting finished and the 20 locals present were swelled by about 20-30 campers.
As Maura continues into Day 3 of her strike,the Solitaire has been confirmed to have moved slightly off the Donegal coast,but unfortunately is stationery,still visible through the fog from the shoreline.
We hope that it will move out of Irish territorial waters soon as Maura has become slightly disoriented as dehydration (although she is drinking water) is setting in.
She has vowed to abide by her original statement (which should be read at the other thread) and continue until the Solitaire has left Irish territorial waters.

POLICE
The police presence in the area has stabilised at the levels it was at this morningthat is quite heavy but not as bad as Tuesday night and Wednesday morning when the area was crammed with up to 100 members of arious units,some unmarked and unnumbered.
Special branch cars are still floating around the area,more obvious at this stage than the marked Garda cars (!)
The police appeared agitated about 20 minutes ago when the large crowd at the gate vigil swelled.
We will maintian the presence 24 hours and will not abandon Maura for a second in her hour of need.

FRIDAY
Action will continue tomorrow.
The media are finally watching and this is only as a result of massive effort and sacrifice over the past month.
We will not take our foot off the accelerator for one second.
This project must be scuppered at every available opportunity.

Shell to Sea!

Solidarity!

by Sam Lord Thu Sep 11, 2008 22:54

Some interesting information on the solitaire.

It is owned by Allseas Group SA. President (and owner as far as I can make out) of Allseas is Edward Heerema.

Allseas is curently developing the largest vessel afloat for the purpose of dismantling oil rigs. It will be called, according to Edward Herrema, the Pieter Schelte, in honour of his father, Pieter Schelte Herrema. Pieter Schelte Herrema was a member of the Waffen SS and an unrepentent Nazi. So our little Corrib pipelayer is owned by a guy who honours a member of the Waffen SS.

There is lots of unsavory stuff here for those who are interested in looking further into the family.

Vice President of Allseas is Frits Janmaat.

by Margaret Thu Sep 11, 2008 22:09

Wonderful work from the Mayo resisitance, solidarity, hopes and prayers for you all, also respect to the Mayo Echo for its brave editorial policy and example to the big spineless national papers.

by Brighton Solidarity Thu Sep 11, 2008 21:01 Brighton, England

PHOTO & REPORT LINK-Rossport Solidarity Anti-Shell Rooftop Action Brighton

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/09/408500.html

by Rudiger - S2S Thu Sep 11, 2008 18:15

Photos taken by Terence Conway

by passing shopper. Thu Sep 11, 2008 16:57

I might be passing by that way later. Does Maura have earplugs to drown out the noise of cop car engines revving?

As if twasn't costing taxpayers like me (as opposed to certain tax dodging politicians and newspaper owners) enough money to keep the cops there, they want to waste money running the engines too, and of course if the EU gets wind of that, they'll add a few more euro on the fines we pay because of green house gases. Taxpayers sure are suckers.
We pay their salaries, then we pay for the fines for their bad decisions. Then we pay to access services we used to get for free, while they divert our money to their corporate buddies. And when we protest, we pay the wages of the cops they send to dissuade us.
Funny how we also pay for their constituency offices, but they'll only be there 30 minutes a week for clinics.

No wonder they are not legally responsible for the costs of Dail decisions. Shower of b@$t@rd$ that they are.

by Cork Shell to Sea'er - Cork Shell to Sea Thu Sep 11, 2008 16:29

There's an hour-long candle-lit vigil for Maura tonight at Daunt Sq. from 9pm tonight on. Bring candles, friends, supporters!

The govt has shown its full hand of 'force' with gunboats and masked armed Gardaí on the beach and road in Glengad. All of this because a number of locals and the Shell to Sea campaign refuse to be cowed by the guns trained on us. Nobody can doubt the scale of the battle against Big Oil and its sinister agenda in Ireland now!

Come and support Maura and Shell to Sea!

by kraken Thu Sep 11, 2008 15:45

So comparions can be made between the normal stinger & the video of its 2005 improvement (on the company's website http://www.allseas.com/uk/70/projects/most-challenging-....html ) Then maybe we could speculate whether or not the damage was caused by mutant lobsters, the kraken, godzilla or such equivalent creatures giving it a forceful sharp tug downwards or something less mundane like it being twisted outwards or upwards due to sloppy low cost riveting with a wide variety rather than consistent type of rivet. (rivet quality helped sink the Titanic http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/15/science/15titanic.html). Also does anyone know the exact time Solitaire left Broadhaven and arrived in Killybegs? That would help work out the speed the ship travelled at in case there are engine difficulties.

by dublin protests Thu Sep 11, 2008 15:42

Protests in Dublin this evening - 5.30 at the Shell Hq Leeson St Bridge

6.30 PM at the GPO O'Connell Street