Eoin O'Leidhin - Interview

Thursday February 25, 2010 09:32

by Dave Donnellan - -

Dublin - Sat 20 Feb

A recent interview with Eoin O'Leidhin who was jailed yesterday for non-payment of a fine incurred during a protest in Rossport, Co. Mayo. Eoin is one of a number of local residents who have been targeted by the authorities for expressing their concern over safety aspects of the controversial Shell gas pipeline in Mayo. The decision to lay the high pressure production gas pipeline by Shell close to human dwellings was made without any consultation with local residents and has no planning permission.

In the interview Eoin states that any local resident who has managed to raise his or her head above the parapet in opposition to the Shell pipeline has had to endure a campaign of vilification by the national media. Recently a local fisherman, Pat O'Donnell a vocal critic of the project, was jailed for 7 months. He was one of a group of 60 who were part of a non-violent protest in Erris. No-one else from the protest was targeted in such a way. Other local residents who have been targeted are Willie Corduff, Maura Harrington and Niall Harnett.

The contrast between the softly, softly Garda response to criminal activities in the banking sector and the hardline strategy displayed towards local residents in Rossport couldn't be more stark. In 2008 Garda cars were parked outside the headquarters of Anglo Irish Bank on St.Stephen's Green for two days and made a public display of taking out boxes of files from the Anglo offices. Over a year later no banker has been charged or held to account by the same authorities now jailing local residents in Rossport. The IFSC in Dublin became known as the 'Wild West' in global financial circles because of the lack of accountability or control by the authorities. The Garda Fraud Office remaining mute dumb throughout the period. In retrospect the performance on St.Stephens Green was nothing more than a piece of street theatre.

The jailing of Eoin O'Leidhin and Pat O'Donnell does raise the issue of legitimate protest in Ireland. Whatever your shade of opinion on the issue is the question must be asked why are Eoin O'Leighin and Pat O'Donnell in jail? With all the machinery of mediation and conciliation at the State's disposal is incarceration the only way to deal with their concerns and the concerns of the community in Rossport? The current hardline policy of the government towards the community in Rossport is foolish and shortsighted. And until evidence of a fairness and equality in clear in the application of law it will never win hearts and minds.

Caption: Eoin O

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Comments (2 of 2)

great video

by Pollytix

Thu Feb 25, 2010 11:59

Nice one Dave! Great to see these reports coming in and adding to the extensive catalogue of alternative media.

Minister for justice ?

by ailis

Sun Feb 28, 2010 00:46

It is a political decision to quell all opposition to the flawed Corrib gas project.
Singling out leaders of the community for harrassment and imprisonment is just a continuation of police brutality.This follows a baton charge of innocent civilians
resulting in serious injuries to many,unleashing the mercenaries of IRMS security
on local residents protecting their beach,The forcing of a mechanical digger onto private lands through people ,many of them elderly causing serious injury,The savage
beating of Willie Corduff followed by the sinking of Pat Odonnells boat [attempted murder].These are only a few of the most serious incidents recorded and still no
satisfactory results from the ombudsman despite numerous complaints.
The community of Rossport,Glengad and surrounding areas are duty bound to protect
their health and safety and environment from an experimental high pressure gas pipeline .The right to protest is their democratic right .I applaud their collective bravery.

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Eoin O'Leidhin - Interview

Comments (2 of 2)