Maura Harrington, opponent of Shell, jailed

mayo | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Friday June 25, 2010 18:49 by S2S

--- Jailing comes as Shell prepare to start destructive borehole drilling ---

Maura Harrington was today jailed for non-payment of fines relating to protests against Shell's disastrous Corrib Gas project. She is currently en route to Mountjoy Prison. Mrs Harrington is now the third opponent of Shell in jail, following Pat O'Donnell and Niall Harnett. This is the fifth time Mrs Harrington has been jailed in the last 18 months, and comes as Shell have sent letters to residents of the local area, warning them of the start of drilling works in Sruwaddacon Estuary beginning 'in the coming days'.

Mrs Harrington was arrested when leaving a funeral in her home town of Doohoma today.

In other news, Shell's offices in Belmullet were yesterday closed from 8am until 2.30pm by a protest connecting the BP Gulf of Mexico disaster with the threat of pollution which hangs over Erris. Campaigners hung a banner saying 'Energy shouldn't cost the Earth' from the roof of the offices.

Shell to Sea spokesperson Terence Conway said: “This jailing is purely and simply timed to help Shell to undertake their destructive drilling in Sruwaddacon. The dangers we've seen very clearly with the Deepwater Horizon spill, as well as the giveaway of Ireland's natural resources, are the reasons why three campaigners are now stuck in prison. Maura Harrington has been a resolute opponent to Shell, and it is clear to everyone in this area that the Gardai have gone out of their way to persecute her because she has been such an effective campaigner.”

He added: “Frontline recently released a Human Rights report which clearly showed that the Gardai have not been equal and fair in their policing of the protests in this area, but they continue to do all they can to harass campaigners, while Shell's length of illegal pipe remains in Glengad.”

ENDS

Notes for editors:

1.

Lenihan 'in the dark' about effects of oil and gas exploration http://www.shelltosea.com/content/lenihan-dark-about-ef...ation
2.

Frontline: New inquiry into alleged assault urged http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0427/1....html