May 14th 2009
Campaigners using a daring “tripod” technique have halted the illegal work being undertaken by Shell at the Corrib Gas landfall site at Glengad in Co Mayo.
Shell contractors were due this morning to extend the construction compound down onto the public beach at Glengad. However, early bird Shell to Sea campaigners blocked access to the beach at 5 am by erecting two specially-designed tripods, each 20 feet in height. Two men attached themselves to the top of the tripods using climbing equipment and as of lunchtime are still suspended from the tripods.
The men, who live locally, are both in good form and a party atmosphere is evident on the shoreline below them. Gardaí and Shell security have not attempted to remove them so far, as to do so would put the two men’s safety at risk.
Giant tripods of this nature have been deployed by campaigners around the world as a form of direct action. This is the first time tripods have been used in Ireland for this purpose.
The compound has been erected illegally without planning permission to facilitate works along the shoreline, which themselves have yet to receive full legal consent. It is presently the subject of legal proceedings taken by An Taisce against Mayo County Council, which has facilitated Shell’s illegality at every point along the way.
Shell to Sea spokesperson Maura Harrington said: “Yet again, Shell is disregarding both the law and the will of the local community by trying to extend their illegal compound onto the public beach. Today’s action shows that we are as determined as ever to obstruct this obscene project, and the giveaway of Irish natural resources.”
As of 13.30, the new Garda Inspector in Belmullet, Joe Doherty, has directed the two activists to come down for their own safety under Section 8.1 of the Public Order Act. One of those suspended has asked Doherty to apologise for punching him in the stomach during the action last Saturday evening at the compound. For the time being at any rate, the Gardaí and Shell security have been out-manoeuvred.
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May 15th:
The two people on the tripod came down of their own accord at 5:30 yesterday evening after 12 hours up on the tripods. At this stage all site workers excluding security had left the compound for the day. The two climbers then left the area along with supporters carrying their tripods unaccosted by the watching Gardaí. The beach was patrolled by Gardaí and Security working side by side for the rest of the night.
At 3:30 this morning under the cover of darkness Shell stripped the cliff and broke out onto the beach. They now have an enclosed compound as far as where the tripods extended yesterday.
Shell may have succeeded in breaking onto the beach but overall the community spirit is upbeat and momentum seems to be building. This really is the time to come and stand with the community