[g8-sheffield] Sheffield meeting about resistance to Shell in Ireland

[Anthony Mullen]

Stop Shell Hell in County Mayo, Ireland

Film, Talk and Discussion evening about local
resistance to Shell Gas Refinery Development. – And
the Rossport Solidarity Camp

@ MATILDA Social centre TUESDAY 4th APRIL 7.30pm
(111 Matilda Street, Sheffield)

2 people from Sheffield have just spent a couple of
weeks at Rossport Solidarity Camp, they will be joined
by an Irishman (active in the campaign since last
Summer) to talk about the history of the struggle, the
solidarity camp and the future. 

Also: Bring along any donations of materials for the
Solidarity Camp and we will transport them over there.
See http://www.struggle.ws/rsc/wishlist.html for list
of useful items.

The Issues
A consortium of multinationals; Shell, Statoil and
Marathon are trying to build an experimental on shore
raw gas pipeline and gas refinery in North West
Ireland.  At 5 times the usual pressure the pipeline
would be built over unstable bog land with a  history
of landslides and in very close proximity to peoples
homes.  It would be 70 metres from the nearest home,
10 metres from a public road and 3 families would have
to cross over the pipeline every day to leave their
houses.
	Air and water emissions from the refinery would
pollute the local environment including Broadhaven Bay
which is a breeding ground for whales and dolphins,
and Carrowmore Lake the source of local drinking
water.
	The Shell-led consortium have been facilitated in
this project by the Irish State.  The Law was changed
to allow Shell to use private land through a
Compulsory Acquisition Order.  State owned forestry
was sold to Shell for the refinery site.
	
Resistance
	Since June 2005, Shell have been forced to suspend
work on the project due to direct action taken by
local people and the Rossport Solidarity Camp.  Sites
at Bellanaboy and Rossport were picketed daily
throughout the summer.  For 2 weeks in June a road
blockade stopped Shell vehicles entering their
compound at Rossport.  At Shell’s behest 5 local men,
now known as ‘The Rossport 5’ spent 94 days in jail
for breaking a High Court injunction when they had
denied Shell workers access to their land.
	Local fishermen threatened to blockade one of the
worlds largest pipe laying ships, The Solitaire, if it
attempted to lay the offshore part of the pipeline. 
All around Ireland and further afield there were
rallies, protests and pickets.  Eventually Shell asked
for the injunction to be lifted and the Rossport 5
were released.
	However, Shell plan to start work again very soon
(maybe April). 

The Camp
	Rossport Solidarity Camp was set up in June 2005 on
the route of the proposed pipeline.  The aim of the
camp is to lend practical support to the local
struggle and to provide a base for protestors from
around the area.  Over the summer (of 2005) campers
took part in a road blockade, pickets of the Rossport
Compound and organised gatherings with music and
talks, actions and street theatre.	The camp closed
down over the winter (when the construction season was
finished).  
	On 25th February 2006 work began on the new Rossport
Solidarity Camp.  People are needed from now until the
autumn to help prevent Shell destroying this beautiful
area and risking peoples health and safety.
	The camp welcomes people of all ages, abilities and
skills to come and stay for a few days, a few weeks, a
few months.

For more info about the campaign see
http://www.corribsos.com
Any questions about the meeting phone 07981-452174

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