Shell protester put 'life above private property'

By: 
Western People

A Dublin-based campaigner against the Corrib Gas project has told a court hearing in Belmullet that a desire to "protect life" prompted him to commit a number of public order offences.

Eoin Lawless, 10 Charlestown Drive, Finglas, Dublin 11, claimed he had reasonable excuse to climb onto the cab of a moving truck working on the project because he "put life above private property".  The defendant pleaded not guilty to charges of willful obstruction, failing to comply with a direction of a garda and breach of the peace on June 10 last.

The Release & Homecoming of Pat 'The Chief' O'Donnell - Photo Essay

By: 
FSB! - Rossport Solidarity Camp - Indymedia

Selected photographs of the triumphant homecoming of a Hero and Friend!

The Chief is free!!

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Erris was abuzz with joy and merriment as one of her finest sons, Pat 'the Chief' O'Donnell was freed from Castlerea Prison yesterday after 158 days of Shell-decreed incarceration. He was met by an ecstatic group of well-wishers outside the prison and was piped off the prison precincts after speeches by himself, Maura Harrington, and a message of support from Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, Mayor of Roscommon County Council. 

Pat then returned to his native Porturlin in a motorcade via Ballyhaunis, Claremorris, Castlebar, Foxford, Ballina, Killala and Ballycastle. In Castlebar and Ballina he was piped through the main streets to the appreciation of passers-by. At Glenamoy Cross, Pat left his car to enter the joyful embrace of his friends, neighbours and supporters who had waited several hours for his return. After half an hour there of being welcomed back, Pat and the motorcade made the final leg of the journey home to Porturlin, where the whole village was assembled round a roaring bonfire to welcome their valiant neighbour back to his home patch.

Today, Pat attended the Street Feast outside McGuire's in Pollatomish, and there he thanked the many friends and supporters who kept his spirits up while imprisoned, and the many friends he made while in prison, and reminded people to keep up the support for Niall Harnett, another prisoner of Shell now jailed for his 89th day. the well-attended Street Feast made a fitting end to a most joyful weekend in Erris.

The Chief Abú!

Link: 

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/97236

Pat O'Donnell is Free

Welcome Home Pat

Pat O'Donnell was released this morning from Castlerea Prison at 7:20am. Even to the last, the Prison officials made things as difficult as possible for Pat. The prison officials told Pat that there was a lift outside waiting for him but wouldn't allow him a phone call to confirm this. On leaving the prison there was no lift for him and he was released into the rain.

Yesterday evening at 4pm, prison officials and subsequently the Governor of the Prison went to Pat and told him that he was being released from prison early (1 day) as the prison was “overcrowded”. He was then told that the Minister for Justice had brought forward his release date by a day and he was free to go. Pat refused to leave the prison until he was given this in writing from the Minister for Justice and so spent last night in jail.

Pat O Donnell spent 158 days in Castlerea prison, his full sentence less the amount for being a well behaved prisoner.

He will make his way home after the rally outside Castlerea Prison at 2pm today. 

The launch of Beat the Boreholes in Mayo!

By: 
Rossport Solidarity Camp

[Reminder - Come to welcome Pat O Donnell home at 2pm outside Castlerea Prison this Saturday 17th July] 

Yesterday saw the launch of "Beat the Boreholes"; a campaign of mass civil disobedience to stop Shell works in Mayo this Summer. At 7am in the morning campaigners entered the water in Broadhaven Bay in kayaks and a safety rib in a peaceful attempt to prevent Shell from bringing in a second borehole drilling platform. They were met with 5 Garda water unit boats, with approximately 16 Gardaí on board and 10 security boats. Campaigners attempted to approach the platform but were prevented from doing so by Gardaí who overturned their kayaks. Gardaí arrested 2 campaigners for minor Public Order offences and seized three kayaks, the safety rib & several paddles.

Link: 

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/97217&comment_limit=0&condense_comments=...

Shell to Sea campaigner attacked at sea last night

By: 
Shell to Sea

Garda tells campaigner, “I have your last breath in my hands”

At approximately 7pm last night a number of Shell to Sea campaigners entered the water in Broadhaven Bay in kayaks and rafts in a peaceful attempt to prevent Shell from bringing in a borehole drilling platform. They were met with 5 Garda water unit boats, with approximately 16 Gardaí on board.

Campaigners attempted to approach the platform but were prevented from doing so by Gardaí who overturned their kayaks.

One of the campaigners, Eoin Lawless managed to get close to the platform. When Gardaí overturned his kayak, he swam under the platform. A Garda then jumped into the water after him, and without giving any instruction proceeded to drag him from the water into the near by Garda boat.

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