Community of Erris to rally to the support of jailed fisherman Pat ‘The Chief’ O’Donnell

Sat, 02/27/2010 - 12:47 — gary_ronaghan

Rally, 12 noon, Sunday 28th February 2010
Porturlin Pier to Ballyglass Pier
Issued by Shell to Sea

Community of Erris to rally to the support of jailed fisherman Pat 'The Chief' O'Donnell

Tomorrow, Sunday 28th February, will see a rally in support of Pat O'Donnell, who is in Castlerea Prison for seven months, for opposing Shell's destruction of his traditional fishing grounds and the giveaway of Ireland's oil and gas resources.

Pat O'Donnell, who was awarded for bravery for saving the life of a Garda in a sea rescue in 1997, was jailed two weeks ago for minor public order offences. His was one of 30 cases of local people heard in the courts that week.

Maura Harrington criticised the criminalisation of the local community saying, "It is clear that certain members of our community, including Pat, have been singled out for their principled and effective opposition to Shell. We wish Pat all the best, and we'll double our efforts while he is away!"

Pat himself said last June, "Shell has no legal recourse to prevent me fishing in the waters that my family have been fishing for generations. The only way Shell can secure the access they require to complete their work at sea is if I'm safely out of the way in prison."

In other news, over 1,000 people attending a fishing trade expo at Salthill, Co. Galway this weekend, signed a petition calling for an immediate suspension of Shell's work in Mayo pending a full investigation.

In the last week, 200 objections were submitted to John Gormley's Department of the Environment against Shell's application for a Foreshore licence to drill in Sruwaddacon Bay.

ENDS

Comments

Sat, 03/06/2010 - 10:39 — gary_ronaghan

Pics and report of the rally

100 cars gathered today at noon in the fishing village of Porturlin, Pat O'Donnell's home, for a rally to Ballyglass pier on the Mullet peninsula in support of 'the Chief' who has been in Castlerea prison since 10th February.

The cavalcade travelled from Porturlin, out by Rossport, over to Glengad, up by Bellanaboy, into Belmullet and out to Ballyglass pier.

At the pier in Ballyglass, people gathered to express their solidarity with Pat O'Donnell and his family. Pat's wife Mary addressed the crowd and thanked everyone at home and abroad who have offered their support to Pat in jail, and to the family at home.

Eoin O'Leidhin of the Rossport Solidarity Camp, having spent some time with Pat last week in jail himself, also addressed the crowd with a message from Pat.

Pat thanks each and every one who has written to him in jail, especially Kathleen and Ruby from America. Ruby is 11 years old and sends 10cents to start the ball rolling on a fresh fundraising effort to stop Shell. Fair play Ruby.