Corrib Gas - Shell To Sea

mayo | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Thursday June 23, 2005 13:26 by Ed - Shelltosea

Dublin Delegation Day - Press Conference, Dept. of Marine sit-in, Public Meeting

Exotic high-pressure pipeline threatens community's way-of-life contrary to world-wide standards and practice.

Shelltosea is coming alive. Foreshocks, tremors and ominous dust-clouds, especially over the past several days, leave no room for doubt. On Monday (20th June) three very significant events brought the issue impactfully to Dublin and countrywide notice. A late morning press conference held in Kildare Street (The Earl of Kildare Hotel) was 'full-house' and included journalists from all the major dailies.

Denny Larson of California-based Global Community Monitor (www.gcmonitor.org) brought an international perspective and urgency to the event, particularly in regard to Shell’s activities world-wide. Padraig Campbell of SIPTU and Shelltosea spokesperson, Maura Harrington, covered the background and context of efforts and events to date.

Majella McCarron brought 30 years of experience in the Niger Delta to bear upon Shell’s complicity in the wrecking of the Ogoni people’s lives and culture. This culminated in the execution of journalist Ken Sara Wiwa and eight others who dared to protest Shell’s ruinous activities in conjunction with the then very corrupt Nigerian government.

In mid-afternoon the focus moved to Corrib House, Lr. Leeson St. which is the headquarters of Shell E & P Ltd. Remarkably there is no Shell logo or other indication outside to confirm Shell’s presence. The intention of the Shelltosea group was to deliver a single-page statement quoting the U.S. government standards for ‘safe distances’ for homes near high pressure, domestic-quality gas pipelines. These require well over twice the distance specified by Shell for their far more dangerous raw-gas pipeline. Shell refused entry to the group – possibly because the landowners present refused entry ontotheir lands to Shell. Tit for tat!

See Photo: http://www.ireland.com/images/2005/0621/1118963287857.html

Several TV and radio interviews took place on Shell’s doorsteps (literally) over a 90 minute period during which the proposed terminal manager, Mr. Mark Carrigy, as though miraculously appeared in their midst while doors remained securely locked. He enquired disingenuously as to what might be the problem before manfully knocking for re-admission - alone - on the back door.

Late afternoon saw the group transposed to the Dept. Of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in nearby Leeson Lane. Neither Minister Dempsey nor Minister for State, Gallagher, were available to receive Shelltosea’s single-page statement - despite the best effort of senior staff to locate the Minister. A peaceful though insistent sit-in took place there over the ensuing two and a half hours. Finally, an agreed document was signed by both a senior civil servant and group spokesperson, Maura Harrington, requesting assurances of a meeting with the Minister adjacent to the Shell project in Mayo within two weeks. All left at 7.00p.m.

This event-filled day continued at 8.00 p.m. with a public meeting in Wynne’s Hotel on Lr. Abbey Street. It was 'standing-room only' from the outset, late-comers were happy to wait in the doorway. Dr. Kieran Allen (since appointed Head of Dept. of Sociology at UCD – no connection!) chaired the lively, intense, sometimes strident meeting which unfolded over the next three hours. Padraig Campbell of SIPTU, Denny Larson of Global Community Monitor (California), Majella McCarron of Ogoniland (Nigeria), Willie Corduff land-owner and Professor Blau of TCD generated lift-off. Question-time ignited crackle and craic. The extent and quality of info-exchange was concensually noted in the hub-bub following the meeting - all the way to midnight!

[Watch out for coverage of the stand-off which Shell traffic precipitated in Rossport while residents were away on the Dublin delegation.]