Double Barrel Concrete Lock-on Stops Shell

mayo | environment | news report

Tuesday August 23, 2011 23:43

by j debender - Rossport Solidarity Camp

A field in Aughoose overlooking the Shell compound, between Ballinaboy and Pullathomas

085 114 1170

Monday 22nd August at 6am, two people locked their arms into concrete barrels in the road between Shell's Ballinaboy refinery and the tunneling compound in Aughoose. The lock-on lasted for 7 hours, stopping all deliveries to the compound during that time.

Fight the pipe!

Currently Shell are trying to set up a compound in Aughoose, 3km from the refinery at Ballinaboy. They are bringing in fencing, bogmats, steel girders and other equipment in order to secure the compound. Once it is secure Shell intends to remove 75,000 tonnes of peat from the bog. This bog is an important wetland habitat, home to frogs and newts and loads of diverse flora and fauna. After removing the peat they plan on bringing in the tunnel boring machine and begin the tunnel under the estuary for the onshore pipeline.

The concrete lock-ons were set up at 6am on Monday. As Shell normally begins deliveries to the compound from 7am, this 7 hour lock-on effectively stopped all deliveries for 6 hours.

The Garda cutting team which specialises in cutting protesters out of lock-ons and getting people down from high places, did not arrive until 9am. The first person was cut out of the first concrete barrel just before 11am. Within 15 minutes they began cutting the second concrete barrel to remove the second person. The second person was cut out just before 1pm, at which point the guards called Mayo County Council to clean up the mess of the cut up lock-on.

Local residents and the Rossport Solidarity Camp are doing continuous actions against Shell. If you've been meaning to come but just haven't gotten around to it yet, come for a visit. There is plenty to do here including gardening, cooking, site maintenance, talking to locals or writing indymedia articles, as well as sitting in a lock-on if you like that kinda thing. The only way to really understand what is happening here is to come and see for yourself. The camp is located in a field in Aughoose overlooking the Shell compound, between Pullathomas and Ballinaboy.

To contact the camp, ring 085 114 1170 or email rossportsolidaritycamp[at]gmail[dot]com

Double barrel lock on