30.01.2007
At midday today, while a samba band played below, a man who wished to be known as “G” climed the Irish embassy. This was in protest over the Irish governments collusioin with Shell’s activities in North West Ireland where they are constructing a pipeline and refinery. Many campaigners claim this pipeline and refinery pose as serious environmental risk. While there have been widespread protests in Ireland itself many claim that the government of Ireland has given Shell suspiciously favourable business terms on the deal. “G” was arrested for on suspicion of criminal damage though there was no damage visible from ground level. For further details see the corporate watch website.
301007_Irish_Embassy_Shell_Hell – video/x-ms-wmv 5.4M
Press Release
Today, supporters for the Anti-Shell Campaign took their protest to the Irish Embassy. The action was to target the Irish State; Shell; Statoil and Marathon who are attempting to construct a dangerous and experimental onshore raw gas pipeline and refinery in County Mayo; a beautiful remote part of North West Ireland.
There is massive opposition to this proposed pipeline by the local community, Ireland and internationally. A campaign of direct action against this plan has been ongoing since 2005.
The action at the Embassy today is to demonstrate that this polluting project will not just affect the area in which it is to be built, but will contribute to the ongoing organised destruction of the planet by Shell. The action is in solidarity with the people directly affected by this unprecedented raw gas pipeline, which has been condemned as posing an unacceptable risk to health and safety.
The Irish State actively encourages the Shell led consortium – Norwegian owned Statoil and U.S. owned Marathon – by facilitating stages of the construction project, including the changing of laws to allow the project go ahead. These companies are tax exempt, thus there is no financial benefit to the Irish people. Shell are also deploying hundreds of police, who daily intimidate people and use violence to deter them, especially at recent demonstrations.
The action at the Embassy today is to show the concern which many people share about the corruption and complicity of the Irish Dáil, using its power to sell out the interests of the Irish people, putting personal profit before public interest, safety and health.