The Celtic League Secretary General has protested to Irish Justice Minister Brian Lenihan about the jailing of three Co Mayo fishermen involved in protests against Shell.

League National branches are being requested as a matter of urgency to add their voice to the growing protest over this latest attack on Shell to Sea campaigners.

"Mr Brian Lenihan TD Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform 94 St Stephens Green Dublin 2 Éire

Dear Minister Brian Lenihan TD

Erris Fishermen and Shell to Sea protest

I am writing to you following the jailing on Thurday 12th July at Bellmullet District Court of three Erris fishermen.

The men, Pat O'Donnell, Johnathan O'Donnell and Enda Carey received a three month prison sentence for their part in an attack on a Garda at one of the Shell to Sea protests at Bellanaboy in North West County Mayo in October 2006. However the evidence against all three men was unsubstantial and it has been insinuated that the verdict was only upheld in an attempt to criminalise the Shell to Sea protesters.

It does indeed seem that there is a widely held lack of faith in the rule of law among the Shell to Sea protesters and a growing distrust in the Gardai themselves, who are increasingly seen to be siding with the Royal Dutch Shell company. The Gardai's over enthusiastic and heavy handed approach has not helped the situation a great deal and from all appearances they are as much to blame, for the serious injury that has already occurred, as the protesters.

The divisions that have been created between the community and the 'establishment' in Bellanaboy are most unfortunate. The democratic voice of the people is clearly being ignored in favour of big business and the principle of subsidiarity is nowhere to be seen. In a letter to the Celtic League Royal Dutch Shell regretted the mistakes that had been made as part of the Corrib project and desired to build trust among members of the local community.

In view of the new stance that Royal Dutch Shell wants to adopt in relation to the local community, the sentencing of the above named local fishermen last week is not contusive to the development of a future trusting partnership. The situation in Bellanaboy needs to be reviewed if faith in law and order is to be restored among the local populace, so that the "culture and values of the area", as the US based NGO Global Community Monitor so rightly put it, are affected further.

In its current stage, it is apparent to us that the first step in the reconciliation process is the review of the judgement that sentenced the three Erris fishermen to three months in jail for a crime, in consideration of the evidence, they could not, in truth, be held wholly accountable for. It is also of paramount importance that faith and trust is restored in the Gardai by members of the local community if a successful resolution is to be achieved.

Congratulations on your recent appointment to the post of Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and we look forward to hearing your views on this matter soon.

Yours sincerely

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot

See also Celtic News earlier items on this subject at:

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J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

18/07/07

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