Illegal Shell work in SAC blocked by protesters

mayo | environment | news report

Wednesday February 13, 2008 16:54

by A

12.2.08 Local people block Shell from illegal work in a SAC at Glengad, Erris for 4 hours until Gardai force through workers, injuring protesters.

12.2.08 At approx 8am this morning, local residents became aware of a Shell contracted survey team in the Glengad area on the SAC. To work in this area we understand that permissions must be obtained prior to any work being undertaken by Shell. Shell have still yet repaired the illegal work done last October.
To our knowledge, they are only entitled to remove the illegal boreholes, as ordered by Minister Gormley. Our requests for evidence of other permission continues to be ignored by both Shell, RPS and NPWS. Today’s surveying had nothing to do with repairing the damage however, despite claims to the contrary by security staff.
Despite contacting Shell’s supposed public liasons officer in the last few days no attempt has been made by Shell to clarify if they have any other of the required permissions.
A group of local people were forced to enter upon the land to stop this illegal work. Work was halted between 8am until approx 12 noon when a force of over a dozen Gardai came to escort the survey team back onto the SAC.
Despite explaining why the local community had reasonable excuse to stop further damage being done, the Gardai very forcefully removed all protesters from the entrance gate, ushering in the survey team. In their zealous pursuit of Shell’s best interests, the Gardai assaulted many of the approx 10 protesters present at the time. 1 man was arrested after being shoved onto a barbed wire fence, cutting his arm in several places before having his head banged off the ground by several Gardai. Others were dragged off, received kicks, shoves, had hair pulled, while the Gardai simultaneously obstructed the only camera from filming. The man who was arrested was later released without charge.