Solitaire to Arrive in Broadhaven Bay Tomorrow

by concerned - none Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:21

Could anyone advise on getting from Dublin to Broadhaven Bay tomorrow - is it possible by public transport to return in the same day?

I saw an 8:30am bus eireann to Ballina. If there are S2S people at the GPO later I'll ask them about travelling.

From what I have read I am concerned at the incredible deal Shell got to our resources and Shell's disgraceful activities and the collusion of corrupt authorities. I'd like to at least go out to show solidarity with those who are taking a stand against the thieves, in the interest of the common good.

by Assistance Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:33

Bus Eireann goes to Belmullet once a day - get off at Bangor Erris or try to contact RSC from Belmullet - for help.. At Ballina one has to wait until 5pm approx for Mc Graths coaches near Tesco - it takes you to Glenamoy where you change to a smaller Mc Grath coach which takes you past the camp. The same return trip with Mc Graths starts around 9.30 am for Ballina.

by FSB! - Rossport Solidarity Camp Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:49

This article by Áine Ryan, while not as specific as more recent reports as to when the Solitaire is due, does confirm that it will be escorted by two Irish naval service vessels while it is laying its part of the Gas Robbery infrastructure. The article also includes weasel words from ministers Éamon Ó Cuív and Éamon Ryan, and Garda chief superintendent Tony McNamara. It also reports appeals from Pat O'Donnell and Pobal Chill Chomáin to the Gardai for protestors against the Corrib gas project to receive equal protection under the law compared to Shell. This is something that is plainly not happening up here in Mayo, where Shell's Law is the order of the day, while the rights of citizens get trampled into the dirt, dumped in ditches and get sunk on the open seas.

by FSB! - Rossport Solidarity Camp (pers cap) Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:54

AIS stands for Automatic Identification System, not Automatic Identification at Sea, as I'd stated earlier. Just pre-empting trolls with pedantic tendencies.

by Chrissie Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:58

Or you can hitch from Ballina - I've always found it easy using either the Belmullet Road (there's a Garda station at the town end) or Killala Road.

by Slattery Tue Jun 23, 2009 14:31

We're from the County Kerry,
The Land of Eggs & Bacon;
And if you think you can steal our Oil & Gas,
Then by jaysis you're mistaken.

by lulu Tue Jun 23, 2009 16:09

Irish Justice Minister Dermot Ahern voiced concerns about spiralling violence at energy giant Shell's controversial gas pipeline site. Protesters are gathering at a camp near the planned onshore refinery at Glengad, Co Mayo, ahead of the expected arrival of the pipelaying ship Solitaire this week. The Irish naval service has confirmed it is sending a ship to assist the Garda in policing land and sea demonstrations, which have grown increasingly violent in recent months.

Mr Ahern signalled mounting concern within the Government about the potential for serious unrest. "I'd always be very concerned about an escalation of violence there," he said. The minister was speaking after local groups wrote to him claiming law and order was being subverted by "a sinister, unknown group that is targeting well-known opponents" of the gas project.

- from Yahoo! Ireland; no facility to reply to these stories

by Norman Tue Jun 23, 2009 16:35

Amnesty international Norway's newsletter reported in late 2007 that it had accepted a donation of NOK 1 million from Statoil, despite objections by a reader who put her concerns about the Corrib gas project to Amnesty several times.

In response to an objection from a reader, secretary general John Peder Egenæs replied in early 2008 as follows:
"... But comprehensive available information does not suggest that StatoilHydro can be accused of human rights breaches in connection with the project. As far as I can judge, the Irish democracy also functions in this matter in a satisfactory way, so that the critics are heard and have influence."

The sec gen invites readers to write to him if you think his attitude is inspiring or delightful:
"Tell us what you think!
What do you think of the matters that are published in the Amnesty magazine? Are there any of the themes that outrage, inspire, annoy, delight you? ..
Send an e-mail to: magasinet@amnesty.no
or by snail mail to: Amnesty International Norge, Pb702 Sentrum, 0106 Oslo. "

Please read the exchange between Lone Møller and the secretary general, with the link to the Norwegian article in the newsletter, below:

---

27.02.2008
AmnestyMagasinet 1, 2008:
Debate

StatoilHydro breaches human rights

It was with great surprise that I read Amnesty International Norway’s newsletter no. 4/2007, which is a theme issue on corporate social responsibility. From this it emerged that the secretary general of Amnesty International Norway, has accepted over a million Norwegian kroner [approx. EUR 110,000] from StatoilHydro, because “as far as Amnesty knows, StatoilHydro is not responsible for breaches of basic human rights in its own activities. If we knew of or suspected such circumstances, we would have to withdraw immediately.”

The reason for my surprise is that on 12 February, 2007, I informed Egenæs about the “Corrib Gas Project” in Bellanaboy and Rossport in County Mayo in Ireland. Here the oil companies Statoil(Hydro), Shell and Marathon are exploiting Ireland’s weak legislation to build a gas pipeline that will transport gas from a field 70 km out at sea to shore and on to a refinery 9 km inland, in a populated area.

The local population in the area want to maintain their traditional way of life associated with farming and fishing, and for seven years they have protested and conducted actions against the construction of this pipeline. But instead of entering into dialogue the oil companies have sent the police in. Demonstrators have been put in prison for indefinite periods without conviction and the work on the refinery is being prepared and conducted under police protection.

I phoned Egenæs several times and each time he promised to give me a response to the matter. I also spoke with the editor of the Amnesty newsletter, Kristin Rødland Buick. In the end the agreement was that the matter would be discussed in the aforementioned theme issue. So much the greater was my surprise when I saw that Egenæs had accepted money instead of discussing the matter.

The day after receiving this theme issue, I rang yet again to Rødland Buick. She now referred me to Pia Gaarder in Norwatch, which was able to tell me that StatoilHydro is also involved in human rights breaches in Angola. Egenæs can hardly be ignorant of this either. Whether this is a matter of poor or selective memory, or deliberate omission, I expect that secretary general Egenæs will account for in the next issue of the Amnesty newsletter.

Lone Møller, Manger

Reply to Lone Møller
Having been approached several times by Lone Møller, Amnesty International Norway has taken the information to assess whether the circumstances she mentions are such that Amnesty in Norway should reject the support from StatoilHydro. We have so far not found confirmation for what Møller writes in the message above.

We have contacted NorWatch to confirm whether they think that StatoilHydro is guilty in human rights breaches in Angola. The answer we got was that they have no documented information that it is the case.

As regards the Corrib Gas Project, it is true that it is very controversial in Ireland. First and foremost because environmental concerns, but also because of what many perceive as the Irish government’s weak policy towards the oil companies that wish to extract and transport gas as part of this project. It is also true that five landowners who refused to grant the oil companies access to their property have been imprisoned for 94 days for “contempt of court” because of their actions. The project has led to a popular campaign that has great support among the people in the area where the gas is to be brought ashore and beyond in large pipes.

Because of the popular resistance, the authorities have several times changed decisions and refused to let the oil companies commence various parts of the project. Independent evaluations of the project have also been conducted and these have been severely critical of possible environmental and health and safety consequences. The critics are holding campaigns against the project, taking legal action against it and gathering independent information in the hope of stopping it.

Neither Amnesty International nor I personally are competent to evaluate the possible unfortunate environmental and health and safety aspects of this project, it may be that they are so serious that the Corrib Gas Project should not be completed. But comprehensive available information does not suggest that StatoilHydro can be accused of human rights breaches in connection with the project. As far as I can judge, the Irish democracy also functions in this matter in a satisfactory way, so that the critics are heard and have influence.

On this basis, I cannot see that the information Møller presents in her message should suggest that Norway should refrain from receiving support from StatoilHydro. Having said that, we are happy for all input from people who think that we should ask questions about different aspects of our activities. This “keeps us on our toes” and makes us regularly check and double-check that we can endorse what we do.

John Peder Egenæs, secretary general of Amnesty International Norway

Tell us what you think!
What do you think of the matters that are published in the Amnesty magazine? Are there any of the themes that outrage, inspire, irritate, delight you? Perhaps you or your Amnesty group have general thoughts about Amnesty Norway’s assignments, priorities and initiatives? Praise and criticism are equally welcome. The Amnesty magazine also welcomes tips re issues we should write about.

Send an e-mail to: magasinet@amnesty.no
or by snail mail to:
Amnesty International Norge,
Pb702 Sentrum,
0106 Oslo.

AmnestyMagasinet cannot guarantee that your letter will be published, but the more concisely you write, the better your chances. Max. length: 3500 characters (incl. spaces).

---

Note: Norwatch is an independent news service that conducts critical journalistic investigation on Norwegian businesses in developing countries, investigating whether the companies act in accordance with basic human rights, labor rights, safety and environmental standards.

See Norwegian original here:
http://www.amnesty.no/web.nsf/pages/59AC33B3418771BEC12...2F61E

by S2S Tue Jun 23, 2009 18:44

For anyone not familiar with this site, refer to the events page for any planned activities in Dublin.

No leafletting has been organised yet for this week at the GPO. There is a possibility of activities in Dublin and beyond this week.

Bus Eireann to Ballina from Busarus every day (see timetable below), and Bus Eireann to Belmullet from 12.15pm and 6.10pm

The 6.45am and the 1pm bus's are Expressway. Tickets online http://www.buseireann.ie

It only possible to make a return trip by Bus Eireann in one day if your stay is very short.

McGrath private coaches from Ballina and Bangor-Erris to Glengad, and I think they start at 5pm.

Stay at the camp, the solidarity house or the hostel. See link below

Bring sleeping bag, boots, rain gear and the will to win.

http://wwwcorribsos.com

Bus Eireann to Ballina from Busarus every day (see timetable below), and Bus Eireann to Belmullet from 12.15pm and 6.10pm

by Chrissie Tue Jun 23, 2009 19:40

The minibus/coach was going at 5.10pm from outside the Dunne's car park - left at the bottom of the High Street - returns cheaper than singles. The coast road (Killala/Céide Fields, turn right beyond Glenamoy Bridge toward Barr na Trá) or the oil road (to Belmullet, turn right at grotto beyond Bangor) have been good for hitching if you are impatient to get there.

by etc Tue Jun 23, 2009 20:16

"The pipeline has the potential to kill, maim and destroy human and animal life, including the environment."

Who writes this stuff?

by Billy idle Tue Jun 23, 2009 20:21

Still at anchor in the Clyde. Will possibly set sail in the early hours to menace Broadhaven later tomorrow.

by Margaret Tue Jun 23, 2009 23:32

An offshore supply ship, the Highland Rover, is currently listed as being on it's way to Broadhaven Bay from Glasgow, due the 24th at 23:30.

See http://www.shipais.com/currentmap.php?map=Glasgow and http://www.shipais.com/currentmap.php?map=ClydeApproach

Photos of this ship taken at the dockyard on Monday are available on this blog: http://www.upperclydeshipping.com/2009/06/highland-rove....html

Details about the owner etc here: http://www.xvas.it/SPECIAL/VTship.php?imo=9161338&mode=CK

The Highland Rover on it's way to Broadhaven

by Ballina dir - § Wed Jun 24, 2009 06:33

You should go down from the buss station from the station over as far as the font, in the vernacular you will be back behind, if you go the garda station route thats the crossmolina route. its much better to go out tumbing on the killalla route its straight tru the junction. but those bastarts in mcgraths are always leaving late from dunnes i sawed the draiver buying food in dunnes at 5 one day is it any wonder everything goes so slow over there

So yes you should get a good hour of protesting in before the mcgrath guy has to go back to ballina, or the Na as it is known locally.

So down you come all its time to right the worngs that are going to be donne.

by FSB! - Rossport Solidarity Camp Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:35

The Solitaire's AIS beacon was telling a few lies it appears, but it is still likely to arrive in Mayo in the next day or two. Cable-winching operations are about to start soon, as a winching barge was active in Broadhaven Bay yesterday. A cable has to be run to shore in preparation for the Solitaire's arrival in order to pull the welded pipe to the compound in Glengad. the need for people to participate in actions in Mayo remains urgent, so get there if you can and if not, do your best to keep the pressure on Shell and the government wherever you are around Ireland or further afield.

Solitaire position 24th June, 10:20am

by Amelia Wed Jun 24, 2009 13:49

Looks like the big ship is on the move-----check it out!

by FSB! - Rossport Solidarity Camp Wed Jun 24, 2009 16:24

The Solitaire is definitely on its way now, it will arrive in Broadhaven Bay sometime tomorrow, possibly early in the morning. It is worth repeating that people are needed to come to Mayo to help stop the pipe-laying operation. Come to Mayo now!

Solitaire position just after 4pm this evening

by Niall Wed Jun 24, 2009 17:00

Come on folks. This is the time. Put all else aside, pack your bag and get moving to Mayo.

Please.

We need YOU.

YOU make the difference.

Come to the Rossport Solidarity Camp - http://www.rossportsolidaritycamp.110mb.com

by Solitairewatcher Wed Jun 24, 2009 20:23

Its just rounded the Mull of Kintyre and at this rate should be in Erris early tomorrow morning

by Solitairewatcher Wed Jun 24, 2009 22:00

At least one close to Erris Head while sighting of another further offshore. Sounds like the state is gearing up to get its hands even dirtier on behalf of Shell!!

by Naval Gazer Wed Jun 24, 2009 23:35

The LE Orla is curently bunkering up water and LOTS of outboard fuel in Galway docks, departing 0600hrs tomorrow (Thursday 25th June) en route to Mayo and the Solitaire.