Shell to Sea Campaigners send message of discontent to Fianna Fáil
mayo |
rights, freedoms and repression |
news report 
Tuesday July 28, 2009 18:51
by Graham - RSC
Yesterday afternoon, Monday the 28th of July, Shell to Sea campaigners organised a demonstration at Glenamoy crossroads Co. Mayo. The crossroads is the access point to Rossport, where Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht affairs Eamon Ó, Cuív had purported to be arriving with the intention of ceremonially launching an already open community center.
However due to other engagements, the Minister of State for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Mayo TD Dara Calleary was sent instead, albeit his journey was severely impaired by opponents to the controversial Corrib gas project.
A group of protesters from the local community as well as activists from the Rossport Solidarity Camp dissatisfied with having their voices ignored, decided to express their discontent by congregating around the ministers car preventing him from proceeding into Rossport.
Despite a Garda presence two individuals emerged from the crowd and covered the windscreen of the government car in red and yellow paint, the colours being synonymous with the multi-national Shell oil company.
Calleary was forced to turn back, however he returned some two hours later after swapping his paint smeared Audi for a Garda jeep.
Comments (9 of 9)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9Calleary is probably the most closely associated TD with SHELL in Mayo and is heavily backed by Shell's lackey's in the Western Developed Commission who have supported the Corrib gasgiveaway from day one. No wonder the West of Ireland is has been left behind economically are set to suffer big time in the coming recession.
Thanx to this government, soon to be joined by those let go by Shell at the end of next month - no work, no gas, no money - well done Dara Calleary and your buddies in FF
As a mayo woman (as opposed to mayo man) I say well done!!
I must congratulate the people of Glenamoy for their good aim!
Any photos?
Minister’s Audi sprayed in Shell colours by Aine Ryan
IT was the yellow and red of giant oil company Shell, and not the green and red of Mayo, that greeted Minister Dara Calleary when he travelled to north Mayo yesterday afternoon (Monday). Around 2pm his 2008 Audi was sprayed by protestors who blocked the Glenamoy crossroads in protest against the controversial Corrib gas project.
The Ballina based junior minister was travelling from Belmullet to officiate, on behalf of Minister Éamon Ó Cuív, at the social services centre, Ionad Lae – Pobal Ghreannaí in remote Rossport.
The Mayo News understands that up to 30 protestors gathered at the crossroads, which is situated near the Bellanaboy refinery site. Some members of the group carried placards stating: “Gan Cead An Phobail” and “Ó’Cuív Minister for Community Destruction”.
According to Inspector Joe Doherty, of Belmullet Garda Station, the minister’s driver turned around after the paint attack, which mainly splashed the passenger side of the windscreen. Minister Calleary was subsequently brought to the event in a Garda jeep, which was accompanied by other garda cars.
“We are investigating the incident and appeal to any witnesses to come forward,” Inspector Doherty said.
Speaking to The Mayo News last night, Minister Calleary played down the incident but confirmed his car was ‘paint-bombed’ by two balloons.
“ I was launching a new community service programme at the centre in Cornboy, which carries out many services including meals-on-wheels and crochet classes, once an indigneous industry in the area.
”It is a fabulous programme and there was such a great spirit and sense of joy among the participants,” he continued
Yes. Now this is the kind of direct action I like to see the protesters taking. Instead of protesting against companies who are no longer really accountable for the scandal that is Rossport, and threatening and intimidating workers, this is a direct hit on the people who really can change things and do something about it. You should keep this up. In fact if the protesters really want to achieve really change, why not put permanent pickets outside the offices of FF, PD and Green parties reps locally?
That would hit very very hard indeed.
Those who are not politically accountable can afford to ignore you. These guys cannot.
I am delighted that at long last the campaign has started to target the instigators of the treason in Rossport FIANNA FAIL. I hope that it will continue. How about a visit to Offaly to let the leader of these criminals know what decent people think of him?
Then perhaps a few visits to the bold Enda Kenny, Eamon Gilmore and Eamon Ryan would alert the public to the hypocracy of the people that want to take power in this country yet do not want to face the truth about the ongoing political crimes that are being commited against the people of Ireland.
THEY THINK IF THEY SAY NOTHING IT MIGHT GO AWAY. SHOW THEM THAT IT WON'T. CHALENGE THEIR SILENCE.
THEY WANT A YES VOTE TO LISBON . GIVE THEM A NO VOTE.
Thanks to everyone for their support.
brillant action plenty more balloons needed time as said above to get into their door steps and gardens maybe with a samba band for some entertainment!! keep it up lads power to ye
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