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The Celtic League has expressed concern to the Department of Defence in Dublin about the deployment of two Irish Naval Service vessels to participate in policing of protests in the Broadhaven Bay area of Mayo.
Local people and the environment group Shell to Sea have been involved in an increasingly bitter campaign to make the multinational Shell group respect community concerns and cease potentially dangerous and damaging developments as part of Shells exploitation of offshore gas reserves in the area.
The Celtic League General Secretary said in correspondence to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Micheál Martin, and copied to the Defence Minister that the League "believe that the use of Irish Navy vessels in this respect runs contrary to the mission statement of the Irish Department of Defence" (see below):
"Minister Micheál Martin Department of Foreign Affairs 80 St. Stephen's Green Dublin 2, Ireland
minister [at] ...
Dear Minister Micheál Martin
Deployment of Irish and Royal Navy to Broadhaven Bay
I am writing to you following reports that two Irish Navy vessels, the LÉ Orla and the LÉ Aoife, were deployed to Broadhaven Bay last week, ahead of the expected arrival of the pipe laying vessel, the Solitaire, to undertake work for the Shell gas pipeline project.
The Celtic League is concerned that these vessels are being used to police the Shell protesters who oppose the Shell to Sea pipeline that is being constructed at Glengad, Co Mayo. We believe that the use of Irish Navy vessels in this respect runs contrary to the mission statement of the Irish Department of Defence, which states:
"To provide value for money military services which meet the needs of Government and the public and encompass an effective Civil Defence capability and to co-ordinate and oversee the emergency planning process."
We are aware that the Irish Navy has been used in the past to assist the Gardai with fishing policy and drugs seizures, but we believe that the use of two of its vessels in this instance is not in keeping with the above stated aim. The Celtic League believes that it is in the public interest to uphold the rights of the protesters to demonstrate if they so desire and should not be intimidated in this way by a military presence.
In addition the presence of a Trafalgar class nuclear powered British Royal Navy submarine in the vicinity, which has the capability to intercept wireless communication devices, like mobile phones, and provide sonar and radar tracking, have led to allegations the Irish Government has employed the services of a foreign military force to further assist it in covert policing operations of its own citizens.
We would therefore appreciate it if you could clarify whether the Irish Government has invited the Royal Navy submarine to position itself in Irish waters and if so what its purpose is in being there.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely
Rhisiart Tal-e-bot
General Secretary Celtic League
CC Brian Cowen, Taoiseach, taoiseach [at] ... Willie O'Dea T.D., Department of Defence, minister [at] ..."
Link to this article on the Shell to Sea site which highlights ongoing protests and Naval presence:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League 10/09/08
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