Justice Delayed is Justice Denied

dublin | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Monday March 27, 2006 17:28

by Justice Delayed

Justice Finnegan defers judgement again- April 7th set as new hearing date.

A large group of Shell to Sea activists gathered at the Four Courts at 10AM this morning to show support for the Rossport 5, whose case was set for a hearing.

Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan, President of the High Court, was set to deliver his final judgement on the matter of the men refusing to "purge their contempt", when they did not agree to abide by an injunction brought by Shell Exploitation Ireland Ltd, which would have prevented protests against the company's scheme to install a dangerous experimental pipeline through the small village of Rossport in North Mayo.

Since the injunction was dropped by Shell on September 30th last year, the men applied to be released from prison where they had been held for 94 days in high security conditions. They were granted temporary release, but Mr Justice Finnegan has said that he will give a final judgement on whether the men should have some sanction applied to them for refusing to obey a high court injunction.

Lawyers for the five have already argued that it would be inhumane to impose a punitive sanction as the men have already served such a long time in prison.

The matter was again adjourned, this time set for April Seventh, the last day of the legal term.

A large contingent of corporate media were present this morning at the court. Supporters of Sinn Féin, the Green Party and the Socialist Workers Party were also in attendance.

The men and their wives received a standing ovation when they attended the Green Party Annual Convention in Kilkenny at the weekend. Micheál Ó Seighin spoke on the platform before the leader's address on Saturday.

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Comments (8 of 8)

Mary Corduff

by Stevo - individual

Fri Mar 31, 2006 12:19

I've just noticed that one of the photos above has Mary Corduff listed as Maureen McGrath. Wonder if the caption needs to be changed?

Willie & Philip with their bags, and Terence.

by Niall Harnett. - Shell to Sea

Tue Mar 28, 2006 23:31

That's a horrible photo isn't it. Offensive. To think of the lads at home packing those bags and thinking they might end up back in jail. And then to be sent home again with no definitive judgement one way or the other, traipsing back and forth from Dublin as if they'd nothing better to be doing?

Joseph Finnegan, what kind of a man are you at all?

Article 13

by W. Finnerty

Tue Mar 28, 2006 13:17

Article 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights reads as follows:

"Everyone whose rights and freedoms as set forth in this Convention are violated shall have an effective remedy before a national authority notwithstanding that the violation has been committed by persons acting in an official capacity."

Last Saturday, an application relating to similar problems (to those of Rossport), was submitted to the European Court of Human Rights.

It is hoped that last Saturday's application may - by indirect means - cause Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan and his colleagues to alter their current thinking on the way the legal system is being used at the present time in connection with human rights issues.

Further information relating to last Saturday's completed ECHR application form (for Case Number 25077/05) can be found at:

http://www.europeancourtofhumanrightswilliamfinnerty.co...t.htm

Shell has underestimated the people of Mayo.

by brynn - Shell to Sea

Mon Mar 27, 2006 19:54

brynnc at gmail dot com

Without the support of the people of Mayo, this pipeline cannot be built. And the people of Mayo will not support an unsafe pipeline.

Opposition to the pipeline in Mayo is widespread, as evidenced by these photos from last summer.

Every road you follow in the Rossport area, you see signs of support.

The Irish people are a force to be reckoned with.

Solidarity with the men and the campaigners

by Anarchist

Mon Mar 27, 2006 19:38

The justice system as always is proving long,elongated and expensive,
the scales being weighed by money and powert.
Shell WILL NOT lay their profit-pipe on these mens lands,those activists
involved in the struggle are prepared to go to any length to prevent this from
happening.they will have to imprison many more before the State and big
business have any sort of clear path.
Resistance is fertile
Solidarity!!

Protect Irish natural resources.

Mon Mar 27, 2006 19:30

Shell will NOT push this unsafe pipeline on the people of Mayo.

The court's delays only strengthens the men's will.