Thursday at Soldiers Hill

meath | miscellaneous | news report

Tuesday February 05, 2008 12:29

by marcin swoboda - Rath Lugh Ressistance Camp

I'm turncoat ACS archaeologist. I'm involved in Tara
Campaign since June 2006 and thats my story about
clamping to a lorry at 31st of January.

editor note: thank you for your contribution to indymedia - i cleaned up some of the spelling and formatting using gmail's spell check tomake this post more readable. - an editor

Wednesday evening at Rath Lugh Ressistance Camp was quite normal like every other day. Few protesters were siting in the Roundhause around burner, having tea and good conversation about how bad multinational corporations really are. Approximately about one o'clock when we were sitting in silence contemplating the idea of megalithic rock art being influenced by cymatic patterns caused by drum singing, six more protesters showed up. They bring with them idea of lock on to tar machine at Soldiers Hill, which was enthusiastically embraced by all of us. Soon we formed think tank and brainstormed through idea of that kind of Direct Action. After an hour we were ready and went to our beds to have a good rest.

I waked up early in the morning and moved myself to the Roundhaus. Some protesters were on quick supply run, other preparing necessary equipment for action. Two of us were decided to lock on to machinery, others were making support for us. At 1020 GMT we departed to cars. Morale was high, people smiling and joking all over the road to Soldiers Hill. At 1032 GMT we arrived at sites main gate and jumped out of car. Main objective was tar machine so we moved quickly towards it, passing by two workers with angle grinder ripping off tarmac from the day before (they probably had some flaws in it and needed to lay it again).

Fortunately for us next to tar machine was lorry with tar transport so I chose that one as I knew that other protester is aiming tar machine. When we approached them, there was a little bit chaotic situation with workers running around, obviously they had no idea about true nature of our action. I founded good spot underneath the lorry and using workers ignorance locked myself on. When they realized whats really going on it was already to late. I placed my self comfortably, make a rolly and attempted to read Archaeology and Society by G. Clark. I was interrupted by security, Ferrovial Spanish workers and my favourite health and safety officer Mark Kleary.

Other protesters left and were supporting two of us from outside of construction site. When ferrovial or Kleary were not around I had nice chat with workers, they were quite satisfied to have a break in their job. It was quite cold and one of them gave me gloves to warm my hands.

Then Gardai came in and started usual drill (whats your name, would you live the site bla bla bla). We were dedicated to stay and make them cut us of from machinery. Mark Kleary himself, was the man who cut my d-lock. Before doing that he was saying something about cutting different parts of my body so he exposed himself clearly as a psychopath. To be honest I'm little bit afraid of that man and I mentioned that to Gardai. They did not commented that.

It take three different scissors and 2,5 hours to cut us off. After that we were handcuffed and taken to Garda Station at Navan. We were searched, separated and placed in different cells. Other protesters gather around Garda Station building and were blowing whistles and shouting encouraging words. After some time we were taken to Dublin. There we experienced very quick, fast food like court case.

We were collected from court by fellow protester. Now we are under bail condition until next court case which will be February the sixth, but keep working for the campaign. In next hour I'm going to Soldier Hill to support Digger Divers by mean of banner protesting. So that's my story.

PS Sorry about delay in publishing that, but I was out of web for couple last days.

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Comments (6 of 6)

a good day's work

by cable

Tue Feb 05, 2008 13:16

Congratulations to all Tara protestors - devil knows why the powers that be are determined to wreck Tara at all costs

Thank you

by TaraTaraTara

Tue Feb 05, 2008 13:40

Thank you for your courage and dedication. I recognised your name when reading this as he who left ACS and joined the Protesters after seeing the cover up at Lismullin. You are obviously a principled person with great conviction and truth. Thankfully there are some left! I am sure many would appreciate an article about why you left ACS if you have the time Marcin. Thanks.

Thanks to all of the Protesters .

Very well done!

by Goa

Tue Feb 05, 2008 16:27

Great job Marcin. This is inspirational stuff. I will be telling my brother who's an archaeology student about this and also others here in London where I am right now.

Great man Marcin

by Emma in dublin

Tue Feb 05, 2008 20:59

Marcin you are great. What time are you in court on Thursday? I would like to be there to give my support. Is it Navan court house? Maybe you would post on here to let us know as maybe others who visit this site might, if they can, come to Navan to give support.
Good news. To day Vincent Salafia held a press confrence outside the four courts. He announed that Gordon Lucus is taking John Gormley and The NRA to court about Tara. The case is expected to be heard within the next couple/few weeks. So fingers crossed. It was Gordon Lucus who took the government to court over Carrikmines and he won that case. I txt Peader about it and asked him to pass word along.

So will see you on Thursday in court

Great Man Marcin
Emma

I admire guys like Marcin, but the "authotirites" will...

by LS

Tue Feb 05, 2008 22:14

..... will have their way, because the Irish sheeple are asleep(!) they don't care what the "authorities" are doing to them, their children and their country!!!

But, good luck anyway, Marcin, and to your courageous fellow comrades. I wish I could so something about this rape of Tara, apart from signing petitions etc on line...

PS: is that you Emma SH?

Court Wednesday not Thursday

Wed Feb 06, 2008 08:29

They are in Navan District Court today at 10.30am

Best of luck!

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Thursday at Soldiers Hill

Comments (6 of 6)