Minister Ó Cuív and Corrib Gas

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Saturday June 20, 2009 20:18 by Galway Shell to Sea - Galway Shell to Sea

Private Security, Glengad, Co.Mayo

Press Release - Ó Cuív's commitment questionable on Private Security issue in Mayo

PRESS RELEASE
June 20th, 2009.
from Galway Shell to Sea

Our recent dealings with Éamon Ó Cuív in Galway, unfortunately lead us to believe that he is not committed to reaching a solution on the Private Security situation in Erris.

A group of us from Galway Shell to Sea had a meeting with Minister Ó Cuív on June 8th regarding our concern about the lack of accountability of the security firm IRMS operating in Glengad, Co. Mayo. This meeting followed a lot of worrying incidents, not least the beating of Willie Corduff. We wanted an independent enquiry into this security firm especially given the alarming reports connecting IRMS personnel to mercenary groups at home and abroad.

The Minister said that these were really matters for the Private Security Authority and the Minister for Justice.

He then suggested that perhaps a meeting between the community groups and the agents involved in the private security would be beneficial and indicated that he would be prepared to facilitate such a meeting.

Later he added that this gathering could be part of the Forum which was to take place on June 22nd. We immediately said no to this and that the community would absolutely not accept its being part of the Forum. The community has already rejected this Forum which endorses the Corrib Gas project in its current state and refuses to deal with the core issues. He said that he would see what he could do on the matter.

Since then there have been emails and telephone calls with the Minister and in spite of the escalating situation, where Pat O'Donnell's boat was boarded and sunk by masked and armed men, the Minister still refuses to agree to the request of this community for a meeting separate from the Forum.

It is unfortunate that he sees fit to put the rigid concept of this Forum above the real needs and safety of the community; meanwhile the community continues to live in a state of apprehension.

It is with pain that we are forced to agree with today's editorial article in a leading national newspaper -- "while locals in Mayo are holding their breaths in anticipation of trouble, the Government's attitude seems to be to avert their eyes".

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