"The Government have clearly sent the message to Shell, ‘you can do whatever you want’. Fortunately due to protest, the refinery remains unconnected to the gas field. If, as Shell planned, gas had been flowing by now, we would potentially all be dealing with a gas leak and explosion.”
Judge Gerard Haughton
"The defendant [Eoin Lawless] spent 27 hours in custody.... after 2 hours, by 4:20pm, that detention had become unlawful."
Eamon Ryan
"I have serious concerns that the Government constantly took Shell's side, in effect, throughout this process. The Taoiseach downgraded the role of An Bord Pleanála by proposing to introduce a critical infrastructure Bill. [...]
I contend that he put remarkable and untold pressure on An Bord Pleanála to accept the Government's will and to do the right thing in this case. It is to be deeply regretted that such actions have been bad for the long-term position of An Bord Pleanála as a credible and independent body."
- Eamon Ryan
Recently Bob Hanna. the Chief Technical officer in Ryan's department critised Bord Pleanála on the safety measures they are looking for on the onshore Corrib Gas pipeline.
http://www.shelltosea.com/content/bord-plean%C3%A1la-integrity-under-scr...
Harry Barrett
“I am convinced that people in the county are beginning to realise that what has gone on in north Mayo, in the name of the State, has been an insult to democracy and the rights of the citizen under the Constitution.”
Joe Higgins
"The Irish political establishment stands condemned by the whole Corrib gas saga. The anti-social criminals known as speculators and big bankers whose lust for super profits crashed the Irish economy with disastrous consequences for ordinary people and for society in general. Not one of them has been before a criminal court.
But a local fisherman has the whole force of the State mobilised against him to achieve a manufactured conviction and a jail sentence because he stands for community benefit over private greed."
Joe Higgins
"Contrary to the statement of Judge Raymond Groarke, Pat O’Donnell is no thug or bully – he is a hero for standing up to Shell to defend the safety of his community.
The Irish state has played the role of thug and bully in this conflict. They have intimidated, beaten, and repeatedly jailed peaceful protestors for actively opposing the giveaway of €420 billion worth of oil and gas off the west coast of Ireland."
Pat O Donnell
"All I am trying to do is protect my family and the seas that are our livelihood. My family has fished these waters for five generations - I have no authority to sell the rights to these waters"
Terence Conway
"Shell have no planning for the 92 metres of onshore pipe at Glengad, and An Bord Pleanála have acknowledged this fact, yet the Ministers continue to do nothing when faced with this breach of the law by Shell.”
Andy Storey
“We are giving away hundreds of millions of euros to multinational companies at a time when our health, education, and other services are being decimated"
Benny McCabe
“I have worked as a human rights observer with the UN, the EU and the OSCE in Cambodia, the Balkans, South Africa and in many post-conflict situations, but I have never been treated the way I was in Glengad in late June last year”
Tony McNamara
“There was one occasion where it was reported that there was a baton charge on protestors,”
“In fact, there was technical deployment of batons by a sergeant and seven gardaí.”