Erris Priest condems Shell-to-Sea actions

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt League Sun Dec 16, 2007 09:42

Interesting to note the 'intimidation' card being waved again in desperation by Martin. If facts are intimidatory, so be it.

The abiding facts in this grubby episode remain - 14% uptake anyway you look at it. Massaging percentages is the last resort of the ethically/morally bankrupt. The presentation of information re parental/family links is local knowledge put at the disposal of a wider Indy readership; students aren't named - nothing intimidatory about it other than its truth.

I would ask 'Not surprised' to please note that, while FKH participated in this $hell exercise (even though he had done good work in highlighting Church abuse nearly 20 years ago), the three priests in the Parish of Kilcommon have not entered the usual 'comfort zone' of uncritical acceptance of this State/Corporate imposition on the Parish receiving community.

This is why FKH's part in this is reprehensible - he appears to have forgotten what it's like to take a principled stance outside the 'comfort
zone' and in using his weekly column in the Mayo News as he did he effectively stabbed his religious confreres in the back.

$hell is bothered by the stance of these three priests - in the wider area of corporate governance and corporate social responsibility the Priests Letter presented to Eamon Ryan represents a box which $hell cannot tick thereby fooling CSR checkers. The priests are not members of Shell to Sea - they are ministering in a Parish riven by $hell's usual practices of 'divide and rule' and are making brave and honest efforts to address the $hell-created mess.

One would expect FKH to respect these efforts and not exacerbate an already ($)hellish situation.

by Not suprised - None Sat Dec 15, 2007 19:46

The church has and always will fall in behind big business. Time and time again all around the world they have supported fascist regimes, multinational corporations and went against anybody that seeks to better peoples life through social change that dosn´t follow the teaching of the church. So this hardly comes as a shock.

by Martin Sat Dec 15, 2007 17:14

of insulting students' only a desperate mind can reach that far.

You see you still cannot see, 14% (according to MH) of the total student population, in its self there is prob only say 20% of student pop' eligible due to restrictions (yes shell will not support arts or medical cos they are not in that business(this is industry norm) ), not every body wants to be a scientist or an engineer.

Of those we are reliably informed 30% are involved in the shell construction. so if i get this right, theres 168 students, 15% is circa 22 students, 7 (30%) of which have parents on the field. What do the other parents do? and why arent they being exposed for their background. So it appears the yearning to get a better education in rossport means Maura Harrington will expose you and publish details abut it on line.

Interesting that a dept of ed worker would take this stance.

The fact that you know this info can be construed as intimidation by you toward these families!

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt League Sat Dec 15, 2007 16:22

'most industry sponsored scholarships are tailored to suit the business'.

Indeed. That would explain why there's no place in $hell's S section for scholarships to Medicine or Arts.

You are incorrect in stating that $hell offered scholarships to engineering students only; business and science courses - most, if not all of which do not have honours maths as a prerequisite - were also included.

In your desperate attempts to defend the indefensible and, by extension, the part played played therein by FKH, you resort to insulting both the intelligence and bona fides (not unrelated) of the majority 167 students through your disingenuous implication that only the 28 who applied for $hell's largesse were capable of taking honours maths.

Out of the 14% take-up I can now confirm that over a third have parental/family links to $hell either through working on site or as goods providers - the father of one works in security; the mother of another works on site; the father of another is a lorry driver for a quarry and the uncle of another supplies goods on site. How's that for coincidence - facilitated by FKH.

by Martin Sat Dec 15, 2007 13:26

Anne do you think most scholarships should just be given out? You see most industry sponsored scholarships are tailored to suit the business, ie engineering companies will in general only sponsor students that want to study something relevant to their business. Such as Shell sponsoring engineers scholarships only.

So also i would assume that honors maths and other relevant honors subjects would be required also or even considering an application. SO with that i would imagine there is close to 100% take up for those whom are eligible.

nice.

by CATH - none Fri Dec 14, 2007 16:28

Re the 28 out of 195 leaving cert students who applied, the figure of
14% is not strictly true. Shell imposed conditions re the subjects being studied, so therefore a number of students would have been ruled out immediately. Even if this number wasnt very large, it would still increase the uptake percentage. I am using the number of students quoted by the previous poster, as I have no knowledge of the numbers myself.

by Maura Harrington - S2S: Davitt League Fri Dec 14, 2007 00:44

To pre-empt 'Len' or same/other troll, note that 'c' is omitted from word 'schools'. Maura

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt League Fri Dec 14, 2007 00:26

In a letter submitted to, but as yet unpublished by, the Mayo News Sr. Majella McCarron writes 'Anyone familiar with Shell's handbook on attempted ''community capture'' will easily recognise that the S section is being applied: scholarship, sponsorship, security ... are frequent words in present Shell/Erris discourse.'

Four secondary shools, three within Erris, one outside the Barony but with some Erris-based students opted, at management level without full staff consultation, to facilitate $hell's 'S section'.

In the 2006/07 school year the collective Leaving Cert cohort was 195 within these four schools. 28 out of 195 applied for the $hell 'S section'. This gives a take-up percentage of 14% - a further indication of the reality of Community DISSENT, in line with proposed receiving community petition stating opposition (at over 80%) to proposed project (attested to by three priests of Kilcommon Parish) and the Irish Times head2head poll which rejected the notion that Shell's proposed project is good for the local community by an on-line vote of 16% Yes, 84% NO.

To my knowledge at least 25% of the recipients of $hell's 'S section' - in which FKH played his part - are children of $hell employees or $hell-used local service providers.

Ogoni/Bogini; FKH/Kukah.

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt League Tue Dec 11, 2007 20:39

$hell Ireland, one of many subsidiary and wholly-owned companies of the behemoth that is Royal Dutch $hell, sold its garage forecourt operations to Topaz in line with its corporate decision to offload such small-scale stuff in favour of mega-buck upstream activities. This has been replicated in many Western European countries. However, $hell still controls the storage depots which supply the forecourts which have not been turned into 'real estate'.

My informed objection is directed at the correct corporate entity - Royal Dutch $hell. It is based on $hell's 100 years of social and environmental carnage, the human cost of which is not felt by the $hellsuits but is a long-term reality for $hell's unfortunate fenceline communities.

Please do not reply until you have undertaken some basic googling - eg Global Community Monitor; Niger Delta+Shell; Corpwatch etc. etc. etc

by Damien Tue Dec 11, 2007 19:54

Why is this protest always against shell when they are owned and controlled by Topaz.

Shell probably couldnt stop this even if they wanted to.

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt League Tue Dec 11, 2007 19:28

Good to see 'educate' has discovered a second-level $hell-partnered publication to upload (did you spot at least one typo - may be more, but one spotted in cursory glance through).

Cursory glance sufficient for those, including myself, who have trawled through forests of this type of stuff over the past seven years; would advise 'educate' to further its 'research' - may discover all sorts of things!

But only if you really, really want to ... and don't allow $hell to dictate the mindset.

by MacE Tue Dec 11, 2007 16:55

Why would anyone in Mayo want any more greenwash? It's just too easy to spot once you know what it is.

by educate Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:38

maybe the priests should have read this piece, http://www.sciencetechnologyaction.com/lessons/33/Shell...n.pdf very intresting reading.

by Colmán - none Wed Dec 05, 2007 06:37

While I can see why someone would oppose Shell, I cannot, however, see why someone would actively support them. Perhaps some of those who have written comments in support of Shell could explain to me what motivated them.

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt League Sun Dec 02, 2007 14:27

Did finally access Ind UK article. It's dated 21 Sept 2006; article in related link provided by my post is dated 16 May 2007.

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt League Sun Dec 02, 2007 14:10

In typical $hell fashion link to Independent UK articale on Kukah didn't work - even though it took long enough for trolls to find one that presumably reads half ok.

Obviously had no gumption to address article in Nigeria World so will provide quotes as aide memoire for trolls:

'...However the passage of time seems to have changed this ''Man of God'' ... we (Ogoni) had great confidence in Rev. Fr. Kukah whom we believed was a man of conscience ... The Rev. Fr. Matthew Kukah-led 'reconciliation' project was doomed to fail. First it took off from a wrong premise ... Matthew Kukah and his collaborators have engaged in a host of sinister ploys against the Ogoni people in this renewed effort to return Shell to Ogoni ... And for Matthew Kukah, our blood on his head.

by Guess who Sat Dec 01, 2007 19:10

Maura Harrington is quick to condemn people she doesn't agree with, but SHE hasn't the courage to tell us here what she thinks of Mr. Moran or/and Mr. Divers, now that she knows the facts about those two S2S members!
Are they "clean" or tainted"?
Answers please, if you have the courage of your convictions, If you refuse to answer, then you should desist from commenting on anybody's actions, as it makes you a hypocrite

by Miriam Sat Dec 01, 2007 18:58

Maura
Probably the eds will have deleted some of the more spurious/trouble-making comments that you were responding to and when they do that they take down all of the commentary that was put up in response to the trolls - it wouldn't make sense any longer. It clears out the dross but can leave you feeling that some of your best prose has all gone to waste! The Shell to Sea campaign is dogged by trolls on Indymedia and it seems the eds have had enough of it. You can see what has happened if you go to the Indymedia newswire which records all editorial actions with reasons for what was done. Go into the 'about us' thingy at the top of the page and on the right hand side you'll see a list of options one of which ('mailing lists' or some such) will take you to the newswire.

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt League Sat Dec 01, 2007 17:25

What has happened to ALL of today's comments on this thread???

An editorial explanation would be appreciated.

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt League Fri Nov 30, 2007 20:05

No letters on subject in today's IT; doesn't mean some have not been submitted - Letter Ed's prerogative which letters get into print.

Fact remains that all letters are authenticated - no unconscionable anonymities entertained.

Personally will look forward to reading the right of reply article which FKH piece warrants - and which is a right.

by mE Fri Nov 30, 2007 17:33

"Not one letter in support of Hegarty after yesterday's criticism of him"
Not one letter critising him from erris either!

by MacE Fri Nov 30, 2007 14:58

And none have. Not one letter in support of Hegarty after yesterday's criticism of him.

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt League Thu Nov 29, 2007 14:57

What will they do now poor things -'fool', 'Unfounded', 'Daz', 'GR', 'courious'(sic), 'Joe', 'Leonardo' ...

A letter thread has begun in the Irish Times today and the above-named shower of pseuds will be unable to vent their spleen because IT verifies the identity of all letter writers prior to publication.

No anonymous trolls need apply.

by Will Wed Nov 28, 2007 23:29

"that the expenses of the Group, (EMG) should be met by the developer."

this is not the same thing as saying that Shell is somehow in control of the group.
Shell has no alternative but to fund the EMG. Even if its findings are condemnatory of Shell, it (Shell) must continue to fund EMG. It is disingenuous (and a little daft) to suggest that somehow Shell is the paymaster of the Group.
That's a bit like saying that paying a fine somehow makes you paymaster of all civil servants.
Let's not lose the run of ourselves.

by kate Wed Nov 28, 2007 19:45

If this is true and shell are funding the group which is supposed to be monitoring them then this is the biggest joke i have ever witnesed.
and the fact that the chairmen of a fishing group is taking shells money just compounds the joke
why has this not been knowing before.

by Fool! Wed Nov 28, 2007 19:35

Now that that has been cleared up, maybe some of the detractors of Fr Kevin Hegarty would be so kind as to tell us the difference between sitting on the scholarship board, and sitting on the Environmental Monitoring Group?
Oh I get it, Eddie Divers didn't know the €1200 he gets every month is from shell, well that's ok then, ISN'T IT?

by Unfounded! Wed Nov 28, 2007 19:20

page 36 http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/FBEB641B-C3F1-4D05...l.pdf

3. The Minister shall, in consultation with Mayo County

Council, cause an Environmental Monitoring Group to be

set up which will be charged with monitoring the development

during all stages of construction and subsequent operation.

The MLVC considers that, in itself, an Environmental

Management Plan is of little use unless there is active

adherence to the plan and overview of subsequent monitoring

protocols. The MLVC recommends that the Minister, in

consultation with Mayo County Council, establish an

Environmental Monitoring Group. The Monitoring Group, as

well as having a representative or representatives of both the

Department and the County Council, should also have

representatives of the developer, local fishing interests and

local residents. Representatives from other agencies e.g.

Dúchas, the North Western Regional Fisheries Board, the

Environmental Protection Agency, as deemed appropriate by

the Minister should also be invited to partake in the work of the

Group.

****************In order that the work of the Group be meaningful, meetings

should be held as close as possible to the development site.

MLVC further recommends that the expenses of the Group,

including all reasonable travel and subsistence costs incurred

by members, should be met by the developer.*******************

by Chrissie Wed Nov 28, 2007 18:40

One can't help but notice the insulting & hysterical ad hominem (ad feminam?) comments from those attacking Shell to Sea, quite apart from unfounded accusations.

by cc Wed Nov 28, 2007 18:35

'the Minister shall, in consultation with Mayo County Council, cause an Environmental Monitoring Group to be set up which will be charged with monitoring the development during all stages of construction and subsequent operation.'

http://archives.tcm.ie/westernpeople/2002/04/10/story65...6.asp

by Daz Wed Nov 28, 2007 18:02

Maybe Maura might be kind enough to give her View on whether her close Friends Divers/Moran (S2S spokesman) are now UNCLEAN, seeing as they have accepted Shells Money, and sat on a shell funded board?
answers please, If you dare!

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt League Wed Nov 28, 2007 15:45

What is it that's agitating the trolls these days - they appear to be getting crankier and even more irrational than heretofore, which is saying something.

Suggest any/or all of the following:

Difficulties with staying within EU and Irish law - illegal pile-driving on an SAC at Glengad; forced entry onto private property at Pullathomas.

Inability to tell the truth - the most recent example being $hell spinning their 'contribution' to the NWRFB (North West Regional Fisheries Board) for works along the Glenamoy River; spun by $hell in local media two days ago, repudiated by NWRFB yesterday.

A persistent lagging in the 15/16% stakes when it comes to trying to explain their 'Great White Hope' status in Erris.

Goldman Prize celebration, 23rd November.

The letter signed by the three priests in the Parish of Kilcommon.

I suppose the only thing $hell suits can then do is to, metaphorically, kick the cat ...

by GR Wed Nov 28, 2007 08:44

That is the Same Mr. O'Duibhir (Eddie Divers) mentioned in this artical...................

"Up to 20 local people joined in the event, which involved transfer of crews from the activist’s dinghies to the larger vessels of the fishermen.

Eddie Divers, chairperson of the EIFA took part in the event, which was described as an opportunity for the Greenpeace activists to get to know the seas around Broadhaven Bay and to meet local fishermen.

Pat O’Donnell of the EIFA told the Mayo Advertiser that fishermen felt they were not being listened to by Shell. He said fishermen had been reassured by the fact that such experienced activists were willing to show their solidarity with the people of Erris.

Mr O’Donnell said the EIFA was prepared to use its vessels to block Broadhaven Bay.

http://www.corribsos.com/index.php?id=1316

Comments welcome from Shell-to-sea supporters!

by EIFA Tue Nov 27, 2007 09:21

Here is another example of a member of a shell funded group licking up to shell, (EMG group is funded by shell).

I was reading the minutes of meetings of the EMG group which monitors shells activy. http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/D1D2AA9C-CFE9-4E63...7.pdf
he is an extract, which I found strange.

"Mr. O'Duibhir complained that the EIFA are being reported incorrectly in the media. He cited an example where it was incorrectly reported that the EIFA had broken off relations with Shell and that they intend to blockade Broadhaven Bay"

by will Mon Nov 26, 2007 15:12

'is the same not true of the three priests who signed the letter to minister Ryan'

I'm not attempting to defend anybody but I'll point out that all of the priests have not behaved in a similar manner.
KH has written an article from a purely personal perspective, representing nobody but himself.
The other priests made submissions in an attempt to defend their parishioners from a divisive and aggressive invasion of their parish. They also wished to expose the lies being told about their parishioners. They did not act out of self-interest. They acted well within their remit as priests and according to their duties and responsibilities as priests. Therefore they are entitled to be accountable for their actions as priests.
KH has strayed into the realm of politics, big business and secular campaigns. That is where he will be held accountable.

by guydebordisdead Mon Nov 26, 2007 14:59

"politicians, then the Gardai and now the Clergy"

Sounds good to me, I'll get my guillotine ready.

by courious Mon Nov 26, 2007 14:55

Just a couple of points,

"Will" Sun Nov 25, 2007 23:25says
"KH's article is not of a religious nature. It is a secular piece printed in a secular newspaper.
He cannot therefore hide behind his collar, nor do I believe that he would wish to."

is the same not true of the three priests who signed the letter to minister Ryan?

Also this by "Maura Harrington" - S2S; Davitt League Fri Nov 23, 2007 17:34
"FKH's choice of 'unclean' is apt - $hell is a dirty corporation with blood and oil under its corporate fingernails. I advise any reader interested in the faustian path now undertaken by Erris' Fr. Kukah to click on the link below.".

I wonder is Maura inferring by that statement that any person who sits on a board funded by shell is tainted, perhaps she could enlighten us.

by will Sun Nov 25, 2007 23:25

KH's article is not of a religious nature. It is a secular piece printed in a secular newspaper.
He cannot therefore hide behind his collar, nor do I believe that he would wish to.
He must now take it on the chin in the secular world in the same way as MC, MH and JM have had to do.
Let him fight his own battles - he's a big boy.

by spin Sun Nov 25, 2007 14:48

whose facts?
mauras oponion maybe, but how can she call them facts?

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt League Sun Nov 25, 2007 14:09

Since when did it become insulting to recount facts?

by Erris parishioner Sun Nov 25, 2007 09:43

Insulting our priest wont gain your campaign any brownie points.
first it was the politicians, then the Gardai and now the Clergy, I wonder who will you ridicule next,?
here is my guess, your next target will be your own comrades! (remember you seen it here first).

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt League Sun Nov 25, 2007 01:29

From Maura Harrington.

I was offered the opportunity this afternoon/evening to address FKH.

He asked me how I was and I replied 'not best pleased'.

I then asked him if he had checked Indymedia - to which he replied in the negative.

I further asked if he had heard of, or was familiar with, a Fr. Kukah - to which he also pleaded ignorance.

I then advised him to familiarise himself with Fr. Kukah because as far as I was concerned they were 'both sides of the same coin'.

by yes but Sat Nov 24, 2007 08:20

"Thus it's the EPA which has transformed itself into a 'reputable and independent agency' (for that statement alone he deserves loud ridicule)and might has become right. Well, guys, that's a knife in the back alright."
Ah But what miriam forgets is the Bishop also implies the EPA is a "'reputable and independent agency' " does HE deserves loud ridicule
also?
shoot the messenger, not always a good idea.
and what about Ms Mary Corduff, On what authority does she base her claims that her view is superior to the considered reflections of a reputable and independent agency? I think we should be told.

What are the chances we will be told?

by Miriam Sat Nov 24, 2007 06:51

Hegarty's piece is meandering self-justification. He's obviously stung by criticism of his decision to take a place on a Shell funded board and this is his retaliation. He has re-drawn the entire situation so as to place himself firmly at the centre of what he needs to believe is the right thing to have done. Unsurprising that he should therefore depcit the evolution of the protest to follow the trajectory of his own faltering resolve and principles. Thus it's the EPA which has transformed itself into a 'reputable and independent agency' (for that statement alone he deserves loud ridicule)and might has become right. Well, guys, that's a knife in the back alright.

by Judas Iscariot Sat Nov 24, 2007 01:21

"I recall a social activist who went against the powerful, the legal authorities and the populace -
they crucified Him."

Maura beware!

by Ted Sat Nov 24, 2007 00:59

Isn't it great to be on the winning side, the side with the power, the law and popular support.

I recall a social activist who went against the powerful, the legal authorities and the populace -
they crucified Him.

by Guess Who? Fri Nov 23, 2007 21:11

Possibly - Mayo Man of the Year !! (Santa ))

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt League Fri Nov 23, 2007 20:58

You choose to take unto yourself the title of the Bishop and proceed to waffle - as per usual.

Your continued sniping at the priests of Kilcommon Parish is a very good indicator of THEIR effectiveness (never yours, whoever you may be - perhaps you're Hannick if you feel you can abrogate the title of Bishop??)

Did you read the link I recommended?

If not, why not?

If you did, your comments thereon please ...

by Rev John Fleming Fri Nov 23, 2007 20:43

"You can't have it both ways JP; either all four priests - three of the Parish, one of another parish in Erris - are worthy of the respect due to their cloth or, if you shouldn't subscribe to that view, then you don't slobber over one and disparage the other three."

And what about his holiness Bishop of Killala, Rev John Fleming, is his oponion worth anything, when he says ""he was ‘not competent to make a scientific judgement’ on the safety of the project but acknowledged the local community’s fears, observing that while the granting of an IPPC licence would allay some of these fears, ‘it may not remove them all’."
Implying that the EPA is a "reputable and independent agency".
The Bishop dosent suggest that the refinery be moved, he just states “The route of this pipeline, therefore, should be as far removed from family homes as possible and, in particular, every effort must be made to ensure that Carrowmore lake will be permanently free from pollution,”
Bishop Fleming also urged that both sides of the community respect each other’s stance and for decision-makers to take account of expressed fears.

I dont sense from his statment, he feels the refinery should be moved.!

by El papa Fri Nov 23, 2007 19:21

I mean how could the EPA ever get it wrong, or that a second oral hearing would ever be needed?

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt League Fri Nov 23, 2007 17:34

Once again, displaying the skewed auld ramblings that pass for 'wit' among $hell apologists the bould John Paul twitters waxily about 'beautiful prose' - mo léan!

The skewed bit comes to the fore when JP tries to make a link between the 'beautiful prose' written by a person whom I would now refer to as the Father Kukah of Erris (see link) and then goes on to refer to the two Co-Pastors and Pastor Emeritus of the Parish of Kilcommon - the proposed receiving environment - in a sneering manner.

You can't have it both ways JP; either all four priests - three of the Parish, one of another parish in Erris - are worthy of the respect due to their cloth or, if you shouldn't subscribe to that view, then you don't slobber over one and disparage the other three.

A point of information for Dannyboy - while your comment is mainly true it does not pertain to the three priests of this Parish. Their intelligent, well structured, brave and HONEST attempts to address the needs of their parishoners (on both sides of the $hell-created divide) stand in marked contrast to what JP considers a bit of 'beautiful prose'.

FKH's choice of 'unclean' is apt - $hell is a dirty corporation with blood and oil under its corporate fingernails. I advise any reader interested in the faustian path now undertaken by Erris' Fr. Kukah to click on the link below.

by Dorothy Gale Fri Nov 23, 2007 16:05

"A well liked and respected priest "

Respected and liked by who? Big business?

His claim that the EPA is independent is laughable. Its has been taken over by representatives of the Chemical and Petroleum Industries. The Director General and most senior executives of the EPA worked for the Chemical Industry and IBEC.

by Dannyboy Fri Nov 23, 2007 14:17

Is anyone suprised the church would fall in behind big buisness. The very last thing the church would want is a community thinking for it self!!! That would never do.

by John Paul - in pectore Fri Nov 23, 2007 13:53

Fr. Hegarty's article is excellent, and thought provoking. Written in beautiful prose, it is a good antidote to the ramblings of the three padres in Kilcommon . Fr. Noone now suggests Glinsk as a site, some time ago he suggested an off shore island. What next, an under sea bunker !

by Bishop Fri Nov 23, 2007 08:06

maybe our bishop would explain why he waited until after the licence was granted to speak