Fishermen write to Castlerea governor in support of jailed Erris colleague

THE Erris Inshore Fisherman's Association has wrote to the governor of Castlerea Prison asking for Pat O'Donnell to be released.

In its letter, the group says the jailed fisherman deserves his freedom to earn a livelihood for his family during "the fishing season which is short and very much weather dependent”.

Mr O'Donnell is currently serving a seven-month prison sentence after he was found guilty of obstructing gardaí during protests against the Corrib Gas project.

The group says it does not condone any breaches of the law or any attacks on law-enforcing agencies.

“However, as permanent residents of Erris we are daily in tune with the totality of what has come to be known as the Corrib Gas saga.”

At a recent fishing exhibition in Galway hundreds of fishermen signed a petition in support of Mr O'Donnell.

Prison governor Martin Reilly has not replied to the group.