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April 2010

Belmullet court cases a 'complete waste of money'

By: 
Anton McNulty - Mayo News

AN ERRIS councillor has described last week's special sitting of Belmullet District [court] involving Shell to Sea protesters as a 'complete waste of resources'.

A special sitting of Belmullet District Court ran over four days where 27 people were summoned to appear before the court following protests in relation to the Corrib gas project. Only one person who appeared before the court was convicted while another person was given the probation act and others were acquitted or had their charges withdrawn.

Sinn Fein councillor Rose Conway Walsh told The MayoNews that 'scarce' public resources should be used better on tackling 'real crime' rather than bringing protesters to court on minor charges.

"This is a complete waste of resources and scarce resources I might add when you consider that we are struggling to keep beds open in Belmullet hospital. It is a complete waste of money to bring these people to court and to keep Pat O'Donnell in jail and separated from his family. Garda resources would be better deployed keeping communities safe and doing what needs to be done in tackling real crime," she said.

Link: 

Strangely not available on the Mayo News website

Protestors unlawfully detained

By: 
Mayo News

NINE Shell to Sea protesters had public order charges against them dismissed at last week's special sitting of Belmullet District Court after the Judge ruled that they had been unlawfully detained after their arrest.

The protesters had been involved in a 'lock-on' and 'tripod' protest at Glengad on June 28, 2009, and were arrested for public order offences including wilful obstruction, threatening and abusive behaviour as to cause a breach of the peace and failure to comply with the direction of the gardai.

Link: 

Strangely not available on the Mayo News website

Court dismisses obstruction charge

By: 
Mayo News

A SHELL to Sea protester who suspended himself from the ground on a 20 foot tripod on Glengad beach was cleared of charges against him at last week's sitting of Belmullet District Court.

Eoin O’ Leidhin of Barrnacullen, Pollathomas, along with another protester, erected the tripod on Glengad beach at 5.30am on May 14, 2009 and remained in place until 6pm. Tripods of this nature have been deployed by campaigners around the world as a form of direct action, but it is believed that this was the first time tripods have been used in Ireland for this purpose.

Link: 

Strangely not available on the Mayo News website

Courtroom drama leads to five month jailing for Harnett

By: 
Mayo News

A SHELL to Sea protester sentenced to five months imprisonment for assaulting three gardaí in Belmullet Court said he would not apologise to them and branded them ‘bullies’.
Niall Harnett of Barnacullen, Pollathomas was found guilty of assaulting Inspector Joe Doherty, Sergeant Dermot Butler and Garda Hugh Egan at last week’s special sitting of Belmullet District Court.

Link: 

http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9360...

Rising Tide disrupt Shell in Bristol

By: 
Bristol and Bath Rising Tide - Indymedia.org.uk

Activists from Bristol and Bath Rising Tide visited the Shell garage in Muller Road, Eastville at 8.30am yesterday to highlight the repression experienced by communities in County Mayo, Ireland who are trying to stop Shell building an onshore high pressure pipeline and gas refinery.

Link: 

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2010/04/448505.html

Shell’s latest attempt at dialogue rejected by Erris community group

By: 
Toni Bourke - Mayo Advertiser

An attempt by Shell and RPS consultants to engage in dialogue with residents in the Erris area has been described as “empty and meaningless” by community group Pobal Chill Chomáin.

According to a spokesperson for the community group the offer of talks and consultation is “simply part of a box-ticking PR exercise”.

In a statement the organisation said they have already spoken to Shell at the highest level but they accused the organisation of making no effort to address the group’s concerns surrounding health, safety, and environment.

Link: 

http://www.advertiser.ie/mayo/article/24330