Monday morning at Bellanaboy.

mayo | environment | news report

Monday October 16, 2006 18:08

by Eve - Rossport Solidarity Camp

Protesters hold a silent walk to the proposed refinery site and independent TDs show their support.

silent walk to the gates

Week three of the ‘siege’ began on a quiet note as Shell to Sea protesters, gathering shortly after 7am, marched silently to the gates of Shell’s proposed refinery site. Protesters walked in silence to the gates of the refinery site allowing Shell’s convoy of workers and lorries conveying materials to pass unhindered. The march was headed by a light blue banner emblazoned ‘peace’; a response to the aggression demonstrated by the state since Shell recommenced work almost two weeks ago.

This morning’s protest was joined by number of independent T.D.s including Tony Gregory, Seamus Healey and Jerry Cowley as well as Joe Higgins of the Socialist Party. After the march a press conference with the T.D.s was held in front of the proposed refinery site. Crosses commemorating the Ogoni eight and Ken Saro Wiwa were visibly placed behind the seated politicians. The T.D.s expressed their solidarity with the community struggle and their support for ‘Shell to Sea’. Several expressed their exception to the manner in which police has filmed the morning’s protest and the press conference.

Local residents and Shell to Sea campaigners P.J. Moran and Pat O’Donnell also spoke detailing their opposition to the project and expressing their concerns about the behaviour of the Gardai. P.J. related verbal threats made to him by Sgt Dermot Butler MY28, who told him “your days are numbered.” Pat spoke of police aggression. He also reported back from a meeting of the Erris inshore fishermen’s association held last Friday where a motion in support of Shell to Sea was unanimously passed. Local fishermen have provided some of the most trenchant opposition to the Corrib project in light of the danger that the project poses to their livelihoods.

Local businessman Ciaran Murphy, who runs a water-sport centre near Ellie Bay on the Mullet peninsula, spoke out about how Shell offered him 15,000 euro to support the Corrib gas project. Mr Murphy recounted how Shell approached him promising that no one need know about the payment.

shell materials pass the protest