éirígí Call for Support of Protesters

donegal | anti-capitalism | press release Friday July 16, 2010 18:01 by éirígí Tir Chonaill - éirígí Tir Chonaill

A call has come for support of Pat O'Donnell and those protesting against the actions of Shell in County Mayo, and for the nationalization of Irish oil and gas for the benefit of the Irish people.

This Saturday (17th July) will see the release from prison of Shell to Sea campaigner Pat O'Donnell after serving five months in jail for charges relating to an incident at a protest against fuel giant Shell's activity in Erris Head, Co.Mayo.

Speaking of the up-coming event and release of Mr. O'Donnell, éirígí Tir Chonaill spokesperson Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig said it was important for the public to support the people of Erris Head and welcomed Mr.O'Donnell's release.

“It's good that Pat O'Donnell is being released this weekend from prison but he should never have been there in first place”, Mr Mac Giolla Easbuig said. “He was jailed solely for standing up for his community and the Dublin government have allowed the Twenty-Six County justice system to be used as vehicle by Shell Oil to run rough-shod over the Erris community in their efforts to steal natural resources such as oil and gas from the Irish people.”

“Its quite evident that Shell have anyone who dares oppose them in their sights and that they have used Pat as an example to those who would wish to protest against the wrongs of such a multi-national company. The jailing also of people such as Niall Harnett and retired school principle Maura Harrington and the use of the media to spread scurrilous and malicious lies about them shows they'll sink to any depth , regardless of who the hurt, to get what they want” he said.

“The people of Donegal should be aware that there is every chance that the government in Lenister House will also allow our courts to be used against the public in the interests of capitalist greed when exploration and mining for natural resources begin in this county. Whether it be drilling for fuels and precious metals or running giant pylons across the countryside, big business will use the courts to punish anyone who speaks out against them and every right thinking person, regardless of position, should speak out against the abuse of our justice system and support people such as Pat O'Donnell.”

He concluded by saying, “The bottom line is that the Dublin government, instead of backing the interests of the wealthy elite and the capitalist business class, should be standing firmly behind the people. With unemployment in Donegal at well over 22,000+ and cutbacks in services on the cards, the natural resources of this country should be controlled by the state, extracted using best international practise after proper consultation with local communities and the resulting wealth created used to fund our hospitals and schools, improve our infrastructure and create sustainable employment here in Donegal. Its time the people reclaim what is ours.”