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mayo / environment / feature Sunday January 20, 2013 00:05 by niall harnett
 32 comments (last - thursday april 04, 2013 22:01)  6 images
An insight into prison life in Ireland, namely Castlerea Prison, Co Roscommon. On 21st April 2010 I was convicted of assaulting a number of Gardaí in relation to Shell to Sea protests and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment. Remission for good behaviour means that prisoners will have their sentences reduced by a quarter, once you keep your nose clean. I was given credit for 2 weeks time served previously in 2009, before I was bailed out pending my appeal. So I spent 4 months in jail from April to August in the summer of 2010. read full story / add a comment 
national / environment / news report Monday September 12, 2011 19:57 by niall harnett
87 comments (last - saturday october 08, 2011 17:44) 6 images
Teresa Treacy, a 65 year old woman from Tullamore, Co Offaly has been ordered to jail by High Court Judge Daniel Herbert at the request of the ESB. Ms Treacy, who shares the family farm with her sister Mary at Woodfield House, Clonmore, Tullamore, Co Offaly has refused the ESB access to her lands in order to protect the natural environment and the native trees that she has managed there for many years. read full story / add a comment 
Court rules Garda Supt. M. Larkin responsible for Violation of the Rights of Shell to Sea activists.
mayo / environment / news report Tuesday March 30, 2010 13:13 by niall harnett
9 comments (last - friday april 09, 2010 22:29) 10 images  1 video file
On Thursday 25th March 2010 at Belmullet District Court, charges against 9 Shell to Sea protesters were withdrawn or dismissed by Judge Gerard Haughton, because the '9' had been unlawfully detained following their arrest and they were not brought to court 'as soon as practicable', amounting to a 'conscious and deliberate violation of their constitutional rights'. In the 'test' case of Mr Eoin Lawless, potentially effecting all of the 9, the court ruled that the accused was/were held for an unreasonable amount of time before being charged, they were denied 'station bail' and were unreasonably delayed before being brought to court to allow them to apply for release on bail. Barrister Leo Mulrooney, acting for the 9, had put it to Garda Superintendent Michael Larkin that he had failed in his duty to vindicate the rights of the prisoners, and when asked to account to the court for his inaction, Judge Gerard Haughton expressed dissatisfaction with Supt. Larkin's explanation. read full story / add a comment 
mayo / environment / news report Wednesday February 24, 2010 19:07 by niall harnett
10 comments (last - tuesday march 09, 2010 13:18) 1 image 1 video file
Eoin O'Leidhin has joined fisherman Pat 'the Chief' O'Donnell at Castlerea prison today. Eoin was convicted of Section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 for 'failure to comply with the directions of Garda' at a protest outside the Shell site Glengad on 30th August 2008. Garda Sean Cunnane, who likes to ham it up as he whinges to the courts, convinced Judge David Anderson that Eoin's behaviour was a crime. The short video below shows the true flavour of the occasion. read full story / add a comment 
mayo / environment / news report Sunday February 14, 2010 23:30 by niall harnett
13 comments (last - saturday january 04, 2014 21:42) 5 images 1 video file  2 audio files
A number of high profile Shell to Sea campaigners including 'the Chief' Pat O'Donnell and Maura Harrington sought to appeal certain criminal convictions in cases heard last week at Castlebar Circuit Court from 9th - 11th February. A few of the appeals were successful but some of the convictions were upheld by the court. Judge Raymond Groarke concluded that Pat O'Donnell is a thug and a bully, and Maura Harrington is a vigilante. This article has a look at the reality. read full story / add a comment 
mayo / environment / news report Wednesday September 30, 2009 01:12 by niall harnett
1 comment (last - wednesday september 30, 2009 12:28) 2 images
On Monday 28th September 2009, 18 Shell to Sea campaigners with strong links to the Rossport Solidarity Camp appeared at a special sitting of Belmullet District Court to answer charges relating to protests staged on land and at sea in May and June of this year at the Shell site, Glengad. Six of the cases were adjourned to November 11th because of High Court proceedings initiated by those six, to have charges withdrawn. One other case was withdrawn by the state. One individual was convicted and fined, another plead guilty and had the charge struck out. Seven others had the charges against them dismissed. read full story / add a comment 
national / environment / news report Monday July 06, 2009 15:25 by Text- Fin Dwyer, Steph Images - niall harnett Audio - Andrew
12 comments (last - saturday july 11, 2009 11:05) 14 images 1 audio file
Today Shell to sea protestors broke through a weak spot in the armada deployed to defend the Solitaire - the supply port in Killybegs. read full story / add a comment 
mayo / environment / news report Tuesday June 16, 2009 21:09 by niall harnett
8 comments (last - thursday june 18, 2009 18:56) 3 images 1 video file
A Shell to Sea kayaker who paddled out from the shore near the Rossport Solidarity Camp was arrested and detained by Shell Security personnel at about 5pm today, Tue 16th June. Two security guards waded into the water, captured the man in his canoe and dragged him to shore and onto the Shell site, where he was forcibly held until Gardaí handcuffed him and detained him in a Garda van. Despite the fact that the captured man was given no reason for his arrest and detention by either Shell or the Gardai; Garda Sgt. Kieran Lavelle MY2 denied later that the man was arrested at all, but that he was being held 'for his own safety'. read full story / add a comment 
mayo / environment / feature Monday April 27, 2009 09:30 by niall harnett
30 comments (last - thursday april 30, 2009 10:54) 23 images 1 video file
Following a cowardly and vicious attack in the dead of night by Shell mercenaries on Willie Corduff in the early hours of Thursday 23rd April 2009, members of the Erris community assisted by national supporters opposed to the Shell Corrib Gas Project, united at 3pm on Sunday 26th April to rid the Glengad beach and cliffs of Shell nets. Nets covering mounds of rubble on the Shell site at Glengad were removed also, as Shell security retreated from their usual positions on top of the cliff and inside the perimeter fence surrounding the site. The fence was cut open by local residents who proceeded to remove and shred the nets before carrying them to the gates of the Shell site which was being guarded by quite a large force of Gardaí. read full story / add a comment 
mayo / environment / feature Friday April 03, 2009 22:25 by niall harnett
12 comments (last - saturday april 11, 2009 14:21) 13 images 2 video files
For the third time this week nets at Glengad have been put up by Shell and taken down by local residents. The purpose of the net is to stop sand-martins from nesting in the cliff-face. What was once thought to be a specially protected priority habitat for birds and wildlife has actually, in effect, become a priority habitat for Shell. All sorts of chats, communications and rumours abound about the permission for this and the consent for that, the legality of one thing and the illegality of another. But as Kevin Moore, An Bord Pleanala Senior Planning Inspector predicted in 2002, everything about this project is wrong. And it’s the right thing to do to disallow it and to stop it whatever the law says. read full story / add a comment 
mayo / environment / news report Monday December 08, 2008 22:51 by niall harnett
18 comments (last - tuesday february 03, 2009 17:31) 20 images 3 video files
On Friday 5th December 2008, Ministers Eamon Ryan and Eamon O'Cuiv hosted a 'Forum' at the Broadhaven Bay Hotel, Belmullet, Erris, Co Mayo. Set in the context of the Shell Corrib Gas Project, what the forum is about or what it's supposed to address is not clear. “It's not a decision making forum”, said the chairman, Joe Brosnan. Meanwhile, in another room at the same venue, local residents and community activists hosted a parallel forum, the People's Forum, to address what the Ministers' forum will not address … the substantive issues, which are: Health, Safety & the Environment. The Great Gas Giveaway. Community Consent read full story / add a comment
mayo / environment / press release Sunday August 31, 2008 18:29 by niall harnett
6 comments (last - thursday september 04, 2008 22:48)
Text of press release issued this afternoon by Shell to Sea regarding the presence of the Irish Naval Service's warship the LÉ ORLA in Broadhaven Bay, Co. Mayo, as an auxiliary to the Gardaí and Shell Security. Please read main body text for details. read full story / add a comment 
mayo / environment / feature Tuesday August 26, 2008 21:38 by Starstruck & niall harnett
33 comments (last - thursday september 04, 2008 23:09) 40 images 1 video file
The Rossport Solidarity Camp was originally set up on ‘Rossport 5’ Philip McGrath’s land in 2005. In the Spring of 2006 the camp was set up again close to the beach at Glengad near the ‘landfall’ for Shell’s proposed pipeline. Following a mendacious but successful application by Mayo County Council for an order of eviction against the camp in September of 2007, the camp agreed to leave the dunes by January 1st 2008. Since then the 'camp' has organised from the Rossport Solidarity House in Pollathomas. On Saturday 16th August 2008 the camp was set up afresh for the purposes of reorganising Shell to Sea resistance to Shell's latest plans to construct its offshore section of the pipeline from Glengad out to the Corrib Gas Field. A number of actions against that work have already taken place and local, national and international supporters are returning to the area to continue the fight. As one supporter put it, "If there was ever a time to come to Mayo, this is it". read full story / add a comment 
mayo / environment / feature Saturday August 16, 2008 22:24 by niall harnett
26 comments (last - thursday august 21, 2008 10:39) 21 images
Today (Saturday) at noon a flotilla of sea kayaks reclaimed Glengad beach, Pollathomas, Co Mayo; the landfall site for Shell’s offshore pipeline. Members of the ‘Great Rebel Raft Regatta’ recently deployed at the E.ON coal fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent, England, have made their way from Climate Camp UK to Erris, in order to assist Shell to Sea campaigners in their opposition to this pipeline construction at Glengad. The first wave of the Rebel Regatta arrived today following Marine & Public Information Notices which announced the arrival of the world’s largest pipe-laying vessel, the Solitaire, in Broadhaven Bay, anytime from today onwards. Captain Ahab of the Rebel Crew states, “It’s unacceptable what Shell are being allowed to get away with here in Mayo. We intend to plunder Shell’s compound at Glengad and board the Solitaire when she arrives in the bay. We take no prisoners. It’s the gang-plank for these boys. This environment needs protection from these marauders of Shell’s.” read full story / add a comment 
mayo / environment / opinion/analysis Monday July 21, 2008 07:46 by niall harnett
15 comments (last - tuesday august 12, 2008 15:45) 2 images
I write this letter to you the Fishermen of Erris, to your association, and to you all as individuals, and as men, in the light of Shell ‘intransigence‘, as you put it, and the arrival of Shell’s pipe-laying ship ‘the Solitaire’ off our shores. It seems Shell have hit a right nerve with you guys and you’re very correct to be reacting with the defiance you’re adopting … again and at this time. I’m sure you’re considering certain legal action to protect your fishing rights in Broadhaven Bay and beyond, and very good grounds indeed you have to do that, and succeed. But I wouldn’t be relying on that alone, if things don’t work out like! If the law makers are making laws for Shell and Shell only, those ‘laws’ should be disobeyed in any case. And we’re all well very aware of some of the bold and important stances you’ve already taken in the part you play in the hard fight against Shell and the Irish Government for the protection of Erris, it’s families, communities and it’s environment on and off shore. read full story / add a comment
mayo / environment / news report Friday February 22, 2008 20:24 by niall harnett
12 comments (last - wednesday february 27, 2008 18:59)
Just a few questions for you Garda Superintendent John Gilligan, in light of the following: 1) Recent functions that you and other Gardaí have been performing in your role as ‘police service providers’ for the Shell Corrib Gas Project development at Bellanaboy and the surrounding areas. 2) ‘The new era in the modernisation and development of the Garda Síochána, focusing on the three public imperatives of the Garda Síochána Corporate Strategy; public safety, public confidence and transparent public accountability.’ 3) Your solemn oath on appointment to An Garda Siochana that you will faithfully discharge the duties of a member of the Garda Síochána with fairness, integrity, regard for human rights, diligence and impartiality, upholding the Constitution and the laws and according equal respect to all people, and while continuing to be a member, you will to the best of your skill and knowledge discharge all your duties according to law. read full story / add a comment 
mayo / environment / news report Tuesday June 19, 2007 23:06 by niall harnett
31 comments (last - friday july 06, 2007 09:27) 1 image
On Thur 3rd May 2007 at Westport District Court, I successfully applied for summonses and initiated prosecutions against 3 members of An Garda Síochána, Belmullet, Co Mayo, who were then summonsed to appear to answer charges of assault, criminal damage and theft at Belmullet District Court on 13th June. On Wed 13th June 2007 at Belmullet District Court, I failed to bring the case to a full hearing, because of a number of avoidable mistakes that I made, one of which proved to my undoing, whereby the judge put a stop to me proceeding any further with these summonses. This article is an account of my days in court, including the procedures I went through to initiate the prosecutions and the mistakes I made in failing, at this stage, to bring the proceedings to the proper conclusion of a trial. I hope others can learn from my experience, avoid the pitfalls, and be encouraged to bring their own prosecutions against criminal Gardaí, in order to stop their violence and the cowardly abuse of their power. read full story / add a comment 
mayo / environment / news report Thursday May 24, 2007 23:56 by niall harnett
22 comments (last - saturday july 14, 2007 16:28) 15 images
Belmullet District Court - Monday 21st May 2007. A synopsis and flavour of the first day in an estimated 2 day sitting of Belmullet District Court where 3 men, ‘the Chief’ Patrick O’Donnell, Johnathan O’Donnell and Enda Carey are accused of assault causing harm to members of An Garda Síochána near the proposed Shell Refinery Site, Bellanaboy, Co Mayo on 12th October 2006. 14 Gardaí gave oral evidence for the prosecution, with some video evidence shown also in court on Monday 21st May. Defence witnesses will be called at the next sitting for this case, set for Wed 30th May. Judge Mary Devins has also asked to visit the ‘locus’ of the incident on that morning before court and will be accompanied to the place of alleged incident at Bellanaboy, by the prosecuting Superintendent and the solicitor for the defendants, Mr Alan Gannon. read full story / add a comment 
mayo / rights, freedoms and repression / opinion/analysis Sunday April 22, 2007 19:15 by niall harnett
65 comments (last - friday may 30, 2014 19:20) 3 images
“The State guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate the personal rights of the citizen”. Constitution of Ireland - Bunreacht na h-Eireann, Article 40.3.1. The wide-spread and systematic corruption of Gardaí that has been exposed in this country might lead us to believe that we should be entering a new era of accountability. No, far from it, the opposite is true. That new era began last October 2006 and continues now with the practical ongoing training and conditioning of hundreds of Gardaí at Bellanaboy, to the use of violence over the rule of law. In that context of institutionalised Garda violence, I‘d hope that this article could go some way in empowering you to adopt the policy of: Never cooperating with the Gardaí unless ... 1) You have been informed of a reason why they suspect you of committing an offence, or 2) You are being assaulted by them and/or threatened with fear for your personal safety or your life. read full story / add a comment
mayo / environment / press release Monday April 16, 2007 11:09 by niall harnett
11 comments (last - monday april 23, 2007 00:02)
Press Statement. Niall Harnett, Arrested at Shell Corrib Gas Refinery Site, Bellanaboy. Mon 16th April 2007. read full story / add a comment |
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