IRMS continue to assault Corrib campaigners on public roads

Gardaí look on as Shell security continue to use unlawful force on peaceful protestors

On Thursday last, the 15th September, Shell's private security force, IRMS continued their practice of using force on the public road as they see fit. Once again the Gardaí sat close by and witnessed this unlawful use of force by IRMS and allowed it to continue unimpeded.

At approximately 2:30pm last Thursday, a small number of campaigners from the Rossport Solidarity Camp went down to the entrance of the Shell compound in Aughoose to peacefully protest. Workers at the compound were attempting to lay tarmac at the entrace to the compound, so the campaigners attempted to sit down on the edge of the road. However the campaigners were prevented from sitting down at the edge of the road by IRMS and were pushed, kicked, punched, pulled and carried away from sitting down at the edge of the road. This continued for over 45 minutes during which Gardaí watched the whole situation from Garda vans parked no more than 50 metres away.

Commenting on the latest incident Shell to Sea spokesperson Terence Conway stated “Let's be clear about this: Shell's private security - IRMS - have absolutely no right to use any force on campaigners who are peacefully protesting on a public road. The fact that Gardaí would watch IRMS assault campaigners for nearly an hour on a public road is another clear example of the total suspension of the rule of law in relation to protesting against Shell.”

“In October in Geneva, the UN Universal Periodic Review will review Ireland's human rights record, and while the Irish Government give great lip-service to human rights abuses in far-away places, they are letting Shell and the Gardaí here in Mayo do whatever they wish to peaceful protestors”. [1][2]

NOTES

[1] UN urged to examine Irish human rights lapses – Irish Times - 13th August 2011
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0813/1....html

[2] Shell to Sea highlights human rights abuses to UN
http://www.shelltosea.com/content/shell-sea-highlights-...es-un

Peacefully sitting on edge of a public road

A person shall be guilty of the offence of assault who, without lawful excuse, intentionally or recklessly … (a) directly or indirectly applies force to or causes an impact on the body of another … without the consent of the other.

Gardaí watching on as IRMS assault campaigners