Mary O`Donnell interview

international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Saturday February 20, 2010 18:18

by Madam K

madamkvideo at gmail dot com

Mary speaks about her husband's jailing.

Local Erris fisherman Pat O`Donnell was jailed for seven months on 10 /02/2010 for convictions of breach of the peace and of "obstructing a Garda .

Mary speaks about her husband, a local hero, the devestating effect Shell has had on the local community and the events which see him serving seven months in jail.

Local Erris fisherman Pat O`Donnell was jailed for seven months on 10/02/2010 for convictions of breach of the peace and of "obstructing' a Garda. An outspoken critic Shell`s experimental gas pipeline through his legal fishing grounds in Broadhaven Bay Erris Co. Mayo a special area of conservation On 11th June 2009, Pat O'Donnell's boat was sunk by 4 armed and masked men in Broadhaven Bay. Later that month both Pat O'Donnell and his son Jonathan were arrested in Broadhaven Bay just prior to the arrival of Shell's pipe-laying vessel, the Solitaire. Both fishermen's boats were impounded, yet no charges were brought against Pat and charges were later dropped against Jonathan. Almost identical arrests occurred in 2008 again just prior to the Solitaire's arrival.

Commenting on the jailing of Pat ODonnell, Terence Conway stated Once again the jailing of Pat ODonnell shows selective prosecution on behalf of the Gardaí. Pat O Donnell was picked out of a crowd of 60 people. The sentences are totally disproportionate to any alleged law-breaking and seem to be a punishment for opposing the Governments' facilitation of Shell.

A video by madam k