Drill huggers stop Shell's drilling work

mayo | miscellaneous | news report

Friday August 13, 2010 19:30

by RSC

Yesterday people from the local community of Pullathomas and Rossport and Solidarity campers lead by the rousing sound of a visiting bagpiper and drummer, returned to one of Shell's drilling rigs, gaining access at low tide across the exposed sand bars of Sruwaddacon bay. On arriving at the rig a number of people surrounded the drill casing and danced around it before forming a tight huddle to prevent any further work occurring. Meanwhile others held a large banner and occupied the area while children played in the sand.

I-RMS security guards asked the drill huggers to leave the area “for their own safety”, an offer that was politely refused. Around an hour later Gardi arrived and observed while superintendant Diskin had a private chat with I-RMS chief Jim Farrell.

Bizarrely after 30 minutes or so all the Gards left leaving I-RMS in charge of policing the protesters, despite their shocking record of violence towards the local community.

People spent the afternoon occupying the area while chatting, singing, playing music and football.

Around 5 o'clock in the evening when most people had left, with no warning I-RMS men jumped on protesters and forcefully removing them, themselves surrounding the drill. The protesters attempted to reach the drill again but were repeatedly “repelled” by security, at this point the drill started to operate again while protesters and security were close to it. For the next 30 minutes this battle continued in obvious breach of safety regulations putting both workers and protesters at risk.

The day demonstrated yet again that Shell have total disregard not only for environment and local community but also for their own employees.

international human rights observer had hopefully fun too

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Comments (4 of 4)

Puzzle this

by Fearbolg - S2S

Fri Aug 20, 2010 21:02

Health and safety issues still ignored, human and civil rights denied and trampled on, Ireland's natural resources given awaw by

a shower of gangsters. That's what you should be puzzled about, and I wouldn't be answering your comment if it had been

deleted, so don't be so precious about how important you are.

Local Protest

by puzzled

Fri Aug 20, 2010 19:58

There is not one local person in any of htose pictures, nor any local people out on the beat the boreholes campaign, but the propaganda machine rolls on and this comment will be deleted, do not forget this is indymedia and everybody is allowed to voice an opinion.

c'm'on, garden...

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party

Sun Aug 15, 2010 18:58

we're all globalised locals. The yokels are all wearing pin-stripes this century. Or in-security uniforms.

Locals!

by garden

Sun Aug 15, 2010 18:01

Went through the photos but could someone point out the locals!

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Drill huggers stop Shell's drilling work

Comments (4 of 4)