Support for Bantry Concerned Action Group against ESB Pylons.

cork | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Monday June 05, 2006 23:15

by Niall Harnett - Rossport Solidarity Camp / Gluaiseacht.

Point of contact for those preparing to travel to Bantry in anticipation of tomorrow's expected assault by ESB

The Bantry Concerned Action Group want the ESB to put this 14km stretch of powerline underground, as is the accepted norm now internationally, for health and safety reasons. Know this … pylons and overhead lines cause leukaemia and cancer.

Following the recent high court injunction granted to the ESB against 6 Bantry landowners, effective from last Thursday June 1st, local residents, inspired by the Rossport Five, are committed to treating this injunction with the contempt it deserves and will be blockading any attempts by the ESB to start work on their land from tomorrow Tuesday 6th June onwards.

Joe, blood pressure low last week, forced to rest up for a few days.

Following a meeting last night at the Rossport Solidarity Camp Gathering to discuss this issue and to garner some support for the Bantry residents, some volunteers from Cork and elsewhere around the country have offered to be there to help on the ground with this blockade from tomorrow and onwards.

This is a health and safety issue in terms of the risk of leukaemia and cancer to local residents, and an environmental issue in terms of the proposed destruction of native woodland to facilitate private wind farm developers Murnane & O’Shea who want to connect to the national grid and … eh … Glanta Windfarm, Dromourneen has not even yet received planning permission!

“We are not against this windfarm, and we would be quite happy for the ESB to run an underground line through our property. We asked for this from the beginning, but the ESB wouldn’t even consider it.” - Joe Burke (BCAG)

“We have powers under the 1927 act. We can come through your land five times if we want to, out side your window, and you couldn’t stop us. I could put one over your house if I want to.” - ESB Official

“There's no sense to it. In the name of God, it shouldn't be allowed at all.” - Jim Burke, Joe's Dad.

Joe, a strong man in more ways than one, had a kidney transplant 16 years ago and sadly is very familiar with ill-health. His children are healthy and that's the way he wants to keep it. He and others with him will not allow the ESB to threaten the health and safety of their families.

So … contact Joe at 086 2705589, have a chat with him about where and who meet etc and give him your numbers for quick mobilisation when ESB contractors start to move. He’s just waiting for your calls!

Strong again now with his family, ready to fight.