Following several years of campaigning with the Shell to Sea campaign, Green Party TD Eamonn Ryan has been appointed to the ministry with responsibility for the Corrib Gas project in Co Mayo.

On Thursday (June 14th), Taoiseach Bertie Ahern appointed Ryan to the new portfolio of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, where his brief will include overseeing the controversial Corrib Gas project. Ryan's fellow Shell to Sea campaigners will be watching with interest to see how he proceeds with Corrib. At their conference in February 2007, the Green Party adopted a resolution that, in government, it would not sign a pipeline consent for the Corrib gas project until “a full, independent review” had been conducted into the project.

Related Links: An Comhaontas Glás | Shell To Sea | Rossport Solidarity Camp | Indymedia report on protest at Shell HQ in Dublin attended by Trevor Sargent (February 17th, 2006)

1) Residents wearing clothes torn by Gardai take a look at the new pipeline route corridors proposed by RPS; 2) Wednesday morning's proceedings in Belmullet district court and; 3) Thursday morning at Bellanaboy.

New pipeline routes
On Tuesday 12th June, the day after police brutally forced an illegal portacabin onto private land through crowds of protesters near Pollathomais, Rural Planning Services (RPS) announced the eight new possible corridors for the Corrib gas pipeline. RPS are the company subcontracted by Shell to find a new route for the controversial pipeline promised in the aftermath of the Cassells report. The selected route corridors were unveiled at a reception and open evening in the Broadhaven Bay Belmullet. The route unveiling was well attended by Shell to Sea campaigners many wearing clothes torn by police at the face off on Monday, underlining the fact that while Shell and their partners claim community consultation ultimately they will use force courtesy of the Gardai to push their project through.

Campaigners reiterated their opposition to the Corrib project in its current configuration. They pointed out that the idea that the pipeline route is the sole problem is a product of the ‘project splitting mentality’ that has marred this project from the outset and that the recommendation of rerouting of the pipeline as a solution to the Corrib conflict comes from the flawed Cassel’s report.

Shell to Sea campaigners brought placards and a banner reading ‘stop before its too late’ into the RPS reception. Protesters unfurled the banner across the hall and called on everyone opposed to raw gas in Erris to get behind the banner. The room was quickly divided into a mass of people behind the banner chanting ‘Shell to Sea’ as a handful of RPS personnel looked on. Having made their point protesters left the hall together to chat outside.

Yesterday afternoon Gardai violently removed protesters attempting to stop the illegal instalment of a Shell portacabin on the land of publican Paddy McGrath near Pollathomais, Co Mayo (see initial newswire report of the assault). This afternoon a letter from Mr McGrath's solicitors giving persons responsible for the cabin until 2pm to move it, advising that the failure to do so would result in an injunction. A full report on events of the last two days follows.

At approximately three o clock yesterday afternoon, an excavator and a jeep towing a metal portacabin arrived at McGrath’s pub Pollathomais accompanied by a number of Gardai and attempted to enter onto land belonging to the pub owners. They told Mr McGrath they were going to place the portacabin down by the pier on what is his land, accessing through a private roadway. No prior contact had been made with the landowners about this. It was put to Mr McGrath as a statement rather than a request and when he asked who wanted it installed and why he received no answer.

Five people locked themselves together in front of the Sramore peat deposit site, used by Shell to deposit the peat from the Bellanaboy refinery site near Rossport. The Gardai arrived at 7.18. As of 7.20, they didn't know how to respond. The banner that the protestors hung across the road says: “Stop before it’s too late”. The five hour blockade of the gates of the shell plant in mayo this morning ended peacefully, with trucks prevented from entering or leaving until approximately midday.

The group of people used layered pipes and concrete to lock arms this morning. The fire brigade was called in to remove the protest. Five people are now being held in Belmullet garda station , as of yet no one has been charged and supporters have made their way to Belmullet to show solidarity with those being detained. There are no reports of any injuries, although a medic supporting the protestors is reported to have been dragged by the hair.

At 7.34 a second Garda van arrived.

At 7. 37, Garda MY 23 gave a warning, that this was private property and to get off the road. Garda MY 165 is filming.

At 7.38, a third Garda Car arrived, meaning there are currently 15 Gardai here, with MY 161 taking photos and Superintendant Gannon in charge.

7.41 Gannon has removed the banner. All the lower ranking cops are calm, he seems irate – they have been informed of the risks of attempting to unlock people. Media contact and for confirmation: Caoimhe – 087 7564750..DETAILED UPDATE: Inspector Gannon: "Peaceful my arse you cunt" UPDATE 14 JUN 2007: The court date of the five has been adjourned to 11 JUL 2007

Shell to Sea Campaign moves to Dublin and the Hague

The Shell to Sea campaign has been streching beyond Rossport, with two successfull blockades of Shell corporate headquarters in Dublin on 18th May and 27th April and a presence at the Shell AGM in the Hague. The second blockade in Dublin saw a more measured Garda response - doubtless nervous of the publicity that could be generated during the election season. On this day only four Shell employees were pushed through as all three entrances were blockaded.

50 shares in Shell were donated to the Shell to Sea campaign giving the campaigners the right to attend the AGM in the Hague. John Monaghan delivered a statement to Shell:

We call on Shell to stop the current development... it will never be accepted by the indigenous people, because of project mis-management on every level. It is a risk to the area's primary drinking-water supply, lying in the catchment of Carrowmore Lake, which is also a Special Area of Conservation. It is to discharge waste products into our air, and through Sruth Fada Conn, an estuary of historical importance in Irish legend and a Special Protected Area; and proceed through Broadhaven Bay, another Special Area of Conservation, a breeding ground for whales and dolphins and waters of vital importance to the local fishing and recreation industries.

Alternative development options have never been fully explored, and this fact has been well documented. Meaningful community consultation has never existed. Community concern has never been addressed. The proposed expanding in-land refinery complex will never be acceptable.

Milieu Defensie preparing for their Shell action in Amsterdam 0.11 Mb The AGM venue, aptly named Circus Theatre 0.1 Mb MD's banner highlighting Nigerian flaring 0.13 Mb Shareholders hurry into the venue 0.16 Mb