News from Erris Tuesday Sept. 2nd – More Blockades, More Shell War-Boats!

Defiance all round by S2S as the Irish Naval Service disgrace themselves again

Report and photos from this morning’s blockade of the Shell compound in Glengad, Erris, Co. Mayo, and the Shell to Sea Flotilla’s second visit to Shell War-Boat Orla which left Broadhaven Bay this afternoon. Also there is confirmation of the arrival of a second Shell War-Boat, the Aoife.

Locals and Solidarity Campers blockaded the shift change at Shell’s pipeline landfall site compound at Glengad about 7am this morning. Protestors assembled before the compound gates at approximately 6:50am. The blockaders were opposed by nearly 40 Gardaí who were in quite confrontational mood, but even so the protest continued for over an hour in spite of the Gardaí being rather rough when pushing back blocking protestors. The protest ended soon after 8am when Gardai forced open a path for the last vehicle to enter the compound.

Then, this afternoon at about 1:30pm Shell to Sea Flotilla’s Emerald Squadron took to the sea to once again approach the Shell War-Boat Orla. The purpose of this sortie was to re-attempt communications with the Orla, in order to ascertain her intentions in Broadhaven Bay and to enquire why Shell’s cops had called up a second War-Boat to force through the Corrib Gas Project over the seas, lands and bodies of an unwilling local population. Once again Shell’s gunboat refused communications. S2S Flotilla’s Emerald Squadron repeated their requests, this time as Gaeilge, but they met with another refusal of communications. Meanwhile the Orla was weighing anchor, stoking up and making haste to depart (RSC Coastwatch confirmed Shell War-Boat Orla’s departure from Broadhaven Bay about 2:45pm).

They also visually confirmed reports from Erris residents that a second Shell War-Boat had indeed entered Broadhaven Bay early this morning (RSC Coastwatch had missed her entry due to rain and poor visibility). The new Shell War-Boat was identified as the Aoife (P-22), but it was not approached today. It will be investigated more closely in the coming days.
Other than the comings and goings of Shell’s War-Boats, there were no other significant movements of Shell vessels. The pipe-laying ship the Solitaire is reported to be still in Killybegs harbour at the time of posting, and its ‘support ship’ the Highland Explorer remains beyond the horizon outside Broadhaven Bay. Little or no work in progress was observed by campers and residents in the Shell Glengad compound.

Even though current events have something of a ‘phoney war’ about them, the Shell to Sea campaign remains vigilant on the ground here in Erris. Once again the Shell to Sea campaign and the Solidarity Camp urge all members supporters to come to Mayo, especially if they have good ideas for action and the resolve to follow through. If supporters cannot come then Shell to Sea would greatly appreciate solidarity protests and actions in their home locations. The Solitaire can arrive any day soon – with your help the people of Erris can resist this invasion more effectively!

Blockade this morning - 2

Blockade this morning - 3

Blockade this morning - 4