Solitaire Back In Donegal Bay

by hv,jh Thu Jun 18, 2009 23:50

Where's it anchored? Killybegs? Since today (Thrs) only?

by RSC Fri Jun 19, 2009 08:57 0851141170

The Solitaire (the biggest pipe laying ship in the world) has been sighted off the Donegal coast, and is heading our way…If you’ve been waiting for the most important time to come to Mayo: this is it.
The camp really needs people here to continue last year’s brilliant resistance. The Solitaire will be here any day, so we need you here now! This is a crucial stage in the campaign: the time frame for work is very limited by good weather and action now against the Solitaire can really help put a stop to Shell’s project.

The beginning of the summer has already seen sustained action against Shell here in Mayo, with regular action and protest-check out www.shelltosea.com or www.indymedia.ie/mayo. There is a well set up camp which is open to everyone- get in touch.

So grab your sleeping bag and tent and get on the bus, train, or car and get here as quick as you can!

by ronaldo Fri Jun 19, 2009 09:41

Michael...one up for you

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=61984

by A.R Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:19

Andy Story argues that the state is losing billions by giving away the gas in Corrib;

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2009/0619/1....html

by Biker Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:06

Naval Service seemed to be busy around Cork Harbour last few days (practising?) - two of their ships left port yesterday.

by Margaret Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:33

We Have Now Reached A Defining Moment In Our History---will We Stand Solidly With The Brave People Of Erris Or Will We Allow The Biggest Act Of Economic Treason To Go Ahead?

With The Imminent Arrival Of The Solitaire Every Man, Woman And Child Needs To Witness And Try To Stop This Plunder And We Must Do It Now.
Our People Suffered Greatly And Countless Thousands Died During The Great Famine /holocaust .in Their Memory ,let Us Protect The Children Of This Country And Their Future.wherever You Are,protest, Protest And Let Your Voice Be Heard .the Irish People Never Even Got The Chance To Negotiate This Gas/oil Deal.

by Gearoid Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:49

Excellent article in the Irish Times. Its the sort of rational, clear thinking and articulate support we need. The online ranting here scares the hell out of moderates who support the cause.

We need to capitalise on this kind of goodwill from the media.

by rom Fri Jun 19, 2009 14:13

Now is the time to send the Solitaire home indeed, Margaret, but let's be rational about it. Nice to see you stopped typing in CAPS but I'm not sure about the new capitalisation style. I think we'll go further and succeed more if we plan things properly . We're entitled to be angry but don't fuel it into overdramatic hype, we'll win no supporters with that

by New Recruit - Non - Aligned Nordies.. in search of Unity Fri Jun 19, 2009 15:53

The spectacle of the rally is not only a good reason to enjoy the best of the West..

It's main sponsor, Topaz, is an Irish based franchise operator who have undertaken to sell on Royal Dutch Shell and Statoilhydro's worldwide wares. It is a re-branding exercise network of 350 Shell and Statoil filling stations which cost over €50 million. (Irish Times)

"This is the biggest event in the region - not just for rally enthusiasts - but for the economy of the north west as a whole. Topaz, as a fully Irish owned and managed company, is committed to supporting local entrepreneurs and community initiatives in a practical way. Right now this rally is more important than ever to the economy of the region. Given that I grew up in Buncrana I have fond memories of the rally, so I know what it means to the county and the region. The commitment of the organisers – some 500 volunteers work on the rally on a daily basis – and the support of the community, together with the enthusiasm of the spectators make it a unique event. The rally also gives Donegal a wonderful opportunity to showcase its natural beauty to a domestic and international audience in a very dramatic setting. Everyone at Topaz is delighted to be involved and to play our part in helping make it a success - Eddie O’Brien, the newly appointed CEO of Topaz and a native of Donegal

Company number 403383, registered in Ireland with a registered address at TOPAZ House, Beech Hill, Clonskeagh, Dublin 4.
Tel: +353 (0) 1 202 8888 / Fax: +353 (0) 1 2838320

I urge any activists to join me in demonstrating that anyone who has rationally tried to understand the Corrib Gas pipeline and Shell E+P Ireland's supposed contribution in relation to Ireland's economic development is a false flag and how spatial justice for the North West region can be better secured rather than the current brutality and injustice that is being inflicted on the community of Erris.

Publicise why Ireland should not take Shell's dirty money.
Show that the West is awake!
Boycott Topaz!
Reasons Why:

Direct Access to the Local & National Motorsport Competitors & Enthusiasts [Counter the Paul Williamite school of slander]

Over 129,000 visitors since May 2007 thats an average of 10750 per month. [Broadcast:

'How the Elites have Gambled with our Health and Wealth' ..
How those refuelling at Shell/Topaz will ultimately lose out in revenue generated in their government's 'Great Gas Giveaway'!!]

Over 1 Million Hits Since May 2007 [Grab the attention of those not disposed to visiting Afri/ / corribsos.com or indymedia.ie but note the following.. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/motors/2008/0319/12....html

PRESS OFFICER

Declan McCay

10 Deanfield
Limavady Road
Derry,
Northern Ireland

Tel. 02871345628

e-mail: declan@utvinternet.com

by James Kelly Fri Jun 19, 2009 16:40

It is great news that Andy Storey got his article published in the IrishTimes today.

However, given the relentless spin and mis reporting of all of this on RTE and the bulk of print media,
the proliferation of literature advertising the websites (corribsos.com,etc) on the streets of Dublin, Cork , Galway etc is seriously required.

The misinformed public is a vital part of the equation, yet there does not appear to be a rush to try to balance out to some degree, the lack of information and the systematic misinformation that is blasted into the public sphere and will continue apace, no doubt with a ramping up again ,now that big guns Solitaire is back.

The websites are the tools to counter misinfromation, letting people where the toolboxes can be found is the relatively simple step in the process.

by James Kelly Fri Jun 19, 2009 16:52

Correction : The last section of the last sentence should read : letting people know where the websites can be found is a relatively simple step in the process.

J K

by Michael Gallagher Sat Jun 20, 2009 14:15

....any idea who ronaldo is above....I'm haven't had time to figure out from the link what he means by his post above.

by Sea legs Sat Jun 20, 2009 16:11

All

Solitaire has ben busy the last 24 hours, looks like she is getting ready to weigh anchor.

by Ken Lee Sat Jun 20, 2009 23:53

There's so many people want to now, is it near Killybegs, is it visible from the mainland?

by Busy Where Sun Jun 21, 2009 03:35

Yeh, so many people want to know about this. It's all we talk about where I live.

by Elinor - cork shell to sea Sun Jun 21, 2009 11:24

According to tracking site www..shipais.com the solitaire is presently off the isle of Lewis headed south to Glasgow due to arrive monday at 3pm.

by Elinor - cork shell to sea Sun Jun 21, 2009 14:09

sorry above info on solitaire not reliable .

by Niall Sun Jun 21, 2009 19:31

Sorry about the confusion on the whereabouts of the Solitaire.

Suffice to say, from a reliable source, that the Solitaire is heading our way and preparing to enter Irish waters early this week.

Many cops also drafted back into the area to defend it.

This is the time to come to Erris and make your presence felt. Please come.

When wrong becomes right, it's your duty to fight.

by Michael Gallagher - Photographetr Sun Jun 21, 2009 21:16 libertypix at yahoo dot ie

... all next week.
It's make your mind up time people. If you care about your country, your people and justice, then get to Glengad, Co. Mayo as soon as you can, if you can.

Let them see that we will not stand aside.

Resistance is the Answer

by FSB! - Rossport Solidarity Camp Sun Jun 21, 2009 23:08

This is the first definite fix we have had on the ship, and it can now be followed at www.shipais.com.

Solitaire position as of time on picture

by Donegal Look out - Soliaire Mon Jun 22, 2009 08:01

Solitaire is gone, we passed the anchor point this morning coming back to port. She was nowhere to be seen.

Get ready down there!!

by gh Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:21

If the Solitaire is where it is shoen on the map at the Stags, Broadhaven, you would not need a map. You would see it.
According the www.shipais, it's still of the Isle of Aran in Scotland.
Who's telling porkies?

by Sean Mallory - wsm (pers cap) Mon Jun 22, 2009 14:09

I just spoke to someone in Erris. It is not in Mayo.

by Mayoman Mon Jun 22, 2009 16:50

I was reliably informed that the ship left Norway yesterday heading for the Clyde to load up on pipes. So it isn't even in irish waters yet

by FSB! - Rossport Solidarity Camp (pers cap) Mon Jun 22, 2009 17:18

This is the latest position of the Solitaire, as checked by the Rossport Solidarity Camp this evening via the shipais.com website. All other rumours as to the ship's whereabouts are exactly that, rumours. It would be nice if friends of the Shell to Sea campaign in western Scotland could arrange some kind of unwelcoming action for this ship whose impending work contract threatens the future of the community and environment here in Erris.
Despite the impression sometimes given inadvertently by campaigners the struggle in Mayo has been and is always about more than one pipe-laying ship. There is plenty of Shell activity on the ground here in Erris that can be stopped, right now, if people around the country and further afield make the time to come to Mayo immediately - there are dredging works ongoing in Broadhaven Bay, and these could be stopped with greater facility than the Solitaire if the numbers were to arrive soon. There is an element of not seeing the forest for the one big tree going on here, and remember that this project can be halted at more points than the one hyped juncture.
When the Solitaire goes again from Irish waters, whether or not it lays pipe, there will still be a campaign to run and a struggle to prosecute. The struggle of the Kilcommon community to live in peace and safety and with the pristine environment they treasure will go on, as it must, and the struggle of us all to return the energy wealth off Ireland's shores to popular control out of the hands of greedy oil & gas multinationals will have to go on if this country and this planet is to have a future worth having. So, please let's not obsess about the arrival of one ship (even though its dastardly mission must be stopped) and let's keep in mind that this campaign goes on and the need for direct action here in Mayo (& elsewhere) is urgent now and into the future - Solitaire or no Solitaire.

Solitaire position this evening, at 4:40pm approx.

by FSB! - Rossport Solidarity Camp Coastwatch Mon Jun 22, 2009 17:59

This evening, an eagle-eyed camper spotted this vessel skulking out by the horizon. This correspondent then trained a pair of binoculars on it, and indeed it proved to be a naval vessel. There was only enough time to get this not-great shot of the ship before it disappeared behind the headland. More naval activity can be expected in the coming days for certain, and no doubt such boats will come close enough to allow us the possibility of positively identifying them.

See the Irish naval service boat near the headland

by . Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:41

.

Will somebody put the handiest bus Eireann route for nearest stop to Glengad from Dublin on this post for easy reference. Show your solidarity, go there and RESIST - HELP.