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the court was convicted while another person was given the probation act and others were acquitted or had their charges withdrawn.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.
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