SOS:The long walk to Dublin, from Rossport
national |
public consultation / irish social forum |
news report 
Monday August 14, 2006 00:46
by Paula Geraghty
mspgeraghty at yahoo dot ie
Some images from the last leg of the Long Walk from Rossport to Dublin, by the Rossport walkers.
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Some images from the end of the long walk to Dublin by the Rossport walkers.
The Rossport walkers had developed a certain fitness from their long walk and had a speediness that some athletes would have been envious of.......!
Events kicked off at Kilmainham Gaol at 12pm on Saturday 12th August, and ended at.... scroll down and you'll see.
Comments (15 of 15)
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Jerry Crowley TD
(l to r) Vincent McGrath, Phillip McGrath, James Brendan Philbin and Willie Corduff (in suit)
Walk Leaves Kilmainham Jail on final Leg
Walk Arrives on O'Connell Street
Michael O'Seighin who gave a great speech to the crowd
These are the attendances at various events in Ireland in recent days as reported in today's Irish Times:
Dublin Horse Show: 80,000
Tullamore Livestock Show: 55,000
Fleadh in Ballybunion: 50,000
Dublin v Westmeath: 79,100
Kilkenny v Clare: 70,978
Reception in Dublin for arrival of Rossport walkers: 200
Puts it all in perspective, doesn't it?
The wonderful news for Shell is that the 350,000 or so attending the first five events listed above will have spent several million euros on Shell petrol to get to them. No wonder Shell's profits in Ireland are going through the roof, with so many people taking to the roads in pursuit of pleasurable activities, only some of which are frowned on by left-wing loonies (see other Indymedia threads for details). So, all-in-all a great weekend for Shell, as well as for Dublin and Kilkenny.
It's good to see the old reliable shell supporter keeping an eye on the people of Erris, and as usual he misses the point entirely.
The numbers game played by the bully boys is a symptom of what is really wrong with their thinking... SIZE MATTERS, WE'RE THE BEST, MONEY TALKS etc. etc. The point of the walk was to raise awareness along the way, and that is exactly what was achieved. No fuss, no fireworks; just grit, determination, and a fair dose of truth sprinkled on the path to the capital.
The people out there already know the government and their oily partners are wrong, and the facts will bring the Corrib gas project down. No fuss, just the truth.
Politicans, Rock Bands, etc spend mega bucks on posters for their events. But up here in Dublin the council tear down political posters in viloation of their own policy as per May22, 2006 vote of councillors and the great "republicans" and "socialists" what do they do ????.
The illusion of mammon continues as JM points out.
Life and living is about more than money, than status, than greed.
For some, nothing is sacred other that the pursuit of profits and the climbing of a slipperly ladder to suck-Cess.
The truth always emerges and it will continue to do so. In that, there's nothing to fear. Persistence and determination will see us through.
SHELL TO HELL!
I ask this question John since you apparently dissapprove of so much in this forum. I'm sure corporate whores like- yourself would have plenty of other sites to choose from in which to share your warped view of the world with other like-minded phillistines. WHy do you feel the need to act as SHell's PR Dept on here??. One can only conclude given the rubbish you continuley spout that you are a troll working for SHell or there associates since none of your so-called argeuments make any sense.
For example using your logic above, SHell would appear to have no public support (as opposed to sound bytes from your corporate buddies in the mainstream media and various dodgy politicians ie. Mr Fahy et al)) since there have been no public demonstrations in the form of gatherings, solidarity camps, rallies walks etc. backing SHell or their partners positions on this GUBU project. Unfortunatly for you and your buddies this project will not proceed until people in the locality are convinced that it is not a threat to their heath, safety and local environement, somethings that SHell, Noel Dempsey et al have failed miserably to do!!.
Just wanted to point out that the guy in the photo above listed as Willie Corduff (in suit) is actually Brendan Philbin. Willie is 2nd left between the McGrath brothers. I'm not sure who the 4th guy in yellow waistcoat is. I think he's from Erris somewhere though.
Glad to see there was some kind of turn out for the end of the walk. Would've liked to be there but had a combo of flu and tendonitis that had me reeling when it didn't ache to stand.
Amazed to see Elinor still there, I take it she decided to walk all the way since she didn't return to camp (at least not while I was there).
Hope that the govt will sit up and listen, but been hoping that since before June 29th last year.
Anyway I hope that the contact with locals along the way has led to the birth/growth of several more STSs across the country. Perhaps if everybody gets clued in to this we can change govt policy if not (preferably) the govt itself.
Stevo
That other guy is actually Peter from Ballinrobe Co. Mayo who is one fit farmer since I think he walked the whole way too. Lasted just one stage myself due to a combination of work commitments and blisters. I'm still seriously in awe of those guys who made it all the way to Dublin - well done once again to all concerned !!!
from saturday.
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Would just like to comment about what john said about the number present at rosport rally and compared that to football match and tullamore agricultural show.I was present at GPO and proud to be there.I would also have liked to be at the match; thats not the point,you see John,the match was over sat evening,the show in tullamore was over sunday evening BUT the rosport fight goes on ,and on day and night and will only stop when shell deside to build the refinery and whatever else ,out at sea like they always have done.Only problem was in Ireland they got too much for nothing and wanted more.Between two stools.....etc etc.
Well done Rosport,300 km walk is something to be proud of.John does not understand about all the crowds that lined the streets of towns and villages on route.All the crowds that attended meetings every night with packed halls and meeting rooms.All the text and phone messages,cards and letters of support from all over the world. Shell are watching alright,but thats about all they can do.Keep up the good work rosport,you have tons of support.
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