[IMC-UK-Features] UK Feature : Rossport Updates

[iggyp imc]

Hi,
I don't know if this has been blocked, but i'm sending in a feature
for the third time!!! IT is part of an
ongoing campaign. I have pictures to go with this, and will put the
feature up onto crabgrass today for people
to have a look at.
I appreciate that it's a little out of date and will be adding extra
text to bring it up to date.

Thanks
Iggy.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: katie t <katiet2007 at gmail.com
<https://auk.riseup.net/sm/src/compose.php?send_to=katiet2007%40gmail.com>>
Date: Apr 23, 2009 8:56 PM
Subject: Rossport Feature request
To: IMC UK Features <imc-uk-features at lists.indymedia.org
<https://auk.riseup.net/sm/src/compose.php?send_to=imc-uk-features%40lists.indymedia.org>>

Rossport: Shell move into Glengad



On Wednesday the 22nd April Shell attempted to restart work on the offshore
pipeline at Glengad, County Mayo, Ireland. At 6-30am a workforce of about
20, backed up by around 50 private security guards erected fences to
re-establish a compound. Works were seriously hampered when local people and
solidarity camp activists occupied machinery. During the day Gardai atacked
the protesters, including throwing rocks at them. One of those who occupied
machinery was Willie Corduff of the Rossport 5. Willie planned to remain
under the truck for the night. The local community maintained a presence to
support him. They removed the fence beside the truck where Willie was
positioned. Soon the entire southern exterior perimeter was dismantled;
Shell’s initial works were almost undone. At 3am, many at the vigil had
moved to the road and Willie was left with just his brother-in-law. Up to
ten Shell security personnel in black and wearing balaclavas “appeared out
of nowhere”. The men pushed Willie to the ground and started kicking him and
hitting him with a heavy object that appeared to be a baton or torch. They
knelt on his head and twisted his arms behind his back as they beat him. His
brother-in-law attempted to aid Willie but was pushed back repeatedly and
forcibly removed by the masked Shell security into an adjacent field where
he was then knocked to the ground, kicked and beaten.

Rest of article



Willie was removed by an ambulance to Castlebar General Hospital, where he
is being treated for nausea and severe bruising to the head and body.



Early Thursday morning the Gardai released the following press statement:



Gardai in Belmullet are investigating an incident which occurred at the
Shell compound at Glengad, Belmullet.

Gardai in Belmullet, Co. Mayo are investigating an incident which occurred
at the Shell compound at Glengad, Belmullet at approximately 11.30pm, last
night, the 22/4/09.

Up to 15 men wearing balaclavas and armed with iron bars and chains entered
the compound and threatened the security staff.

A digger which was secured on the site was started by the intruders and used
to cause damage.

One member of the security staff received an injury to his arm and received
medical attention.

A protester who was present on the site since yesterday was this morning
removed from the compound by security staff. He was taken to hospital by
ambulance as a precaution.

Garda Press Office

23rd April 2009 9.23am



The statement is a total fabrication, but the Irish media has run with the
story. There is very little coverage of the attack on Willie, but there are
numerous fictitious reports of the “15 masked men who attacked the
compound”. It is a clear attempt to use misinformation to cover up the
attack on Willie and to turn public opinion against the community
resistance. Corporate and state collusion is highlighted once again.

On Thursday, work was suspended, but it is expected to resume shortly.
Putting up fences for the compund took several weeks last year. It is a key
time when work can be successfully resisted. Last summer, sucessful direct
action saw off-shore pipe laying halted. With enough determination, and
support, the same can be true this year.



Considering the brutal attack on Willie Corduff there are good reasons to be
wary of the security at Glengad. BUT, it is important to note that the
behaviour of Shell security during the daytime when their actions were
recorded on camera and there were many people around was considerably more
restrained. Direct action will continue in Rossport and safety comes in
numbers: People are urged to travel to Mayo now to stand with Erris people
to resist Shell.



Links to recent articles:

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/04/428211.html

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/04/428212.html

https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/04/427270.html

https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/04/427095.html



More info:

www.indymedia.ie/mayo

www.corribsos.com

http://www.rossportsolidaritycamp.110mb.com/
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