Loitering in the Atlantic?

[Seán E. Ryan]

Pat O'Donnell and his son were arrested this morning for loitering, in the Atlantic. The arrival of the pipelaying ship, the Solitaire, is imminent.

Pat has often complained about interference with his pots. Ensuring the safety of his livelihood can hardly be considered loitering. This brings one to mind of his two arrests last year, also on the Atlantic, two arrests I might add, that resulted in no visit to a court whatsoever. Yesterday, Pat had been granted, as per his request, a garda escort for his safety. The irony could only be described as something exclusively Irish. Pat's son, Jonathan has been taken to Ballina Garda Station. Pat was injured by the gardaí and has been taken to hospital. I have no news of his condition. Pat's boat, which was removed from the area by gardaí with a naval escort, has been impounded.

Meanwhile, Pat's brother, Tony, is continuing to work in the immediate area of Pat's arrest. I received a phone call from one of the persons on this particular boat some minutes ago. Arrests are being threatened here too, names and addresses are being demanded and Tony is being ordered to leave the area under Section 8 of the Public Order Act. Tony, who has informed the gardaí, that he is ensuring the safety of his fishing gear and his livelihood, has been told by the gardaí that he should pass his concerns on to someone else who might give a damn and that he must vacate the area immediately. Arrests are expected.

It seems to me that Shell's cops are acting in desperation and that we cannot expect to see a file offered to the DPP, with regard to loitering in the Atlantic. We'd be the laughing stock of the planet. Though on closer inspection, it might be observed that some of us are not laughing at all.

[Kf]

Also heard that he Garda are issuing "locals only" permits to access the area. I mean WTF - who decides this?

[Factorem]

"For your own safety, your constitutional rights have been suspended."

Indeed.

[fiannafailure]

Pat O'Donnell and his son were arrested this morning for loitering, in the Atlantic. The arrival of the pipelaying ship, the Solitaire, is imminent.

Pat has often complained about interference with his pots. Ensuring the safety of his livelihood can hardly be considered loitering. This brings one to mind of his two arrests last year, also on the Atlantic, two arrests I might add, that resulted in no visit to a court whatsoever. Yesterday, Pat had been granted, as per his request, a garda escort for his safety. The irony could only be described as something exclusively Irish. Pat's son, Jonathan has been taken to Ballina Garda Station. Pat was injured by the gardaí and has been taken to hospital. I have no news of his condition. Pat's boat, which was removed from the area by gardaí with a naval escort, has been impounded.

Meanwhile, Pat's brother, Martin, is continuing to work in the immediate area of Pat's arrest. I received a phone call from one of the persons on this particular boat some minutes ago. Arrests are being threatened here too, names and addresses are being demanded and Martin is being ordered to leave the area under Section 8 of the Public Order Act. Martin, who has informed the gardaí, that he is ensuring the safety of his fishing gear and his livelihood, has been told by the gardaí that they will pass his concerns on to someone else who might give a damn and that he must vacate the area immediately. Arrests are expected.

It seems to me that Shell's cops are acting in desperation and that we cannot expect to see a file offered to the DPP, with regard to loitering in the Atlantic. We'd be the laughing stock of the planet. Though on closer inspection, it might be observed that some of us are not laughing at all.

I spoke, last night, to a number of gardai about this whole insult to the irish constitution, that is corrib, and they all expressed the opinion, that it shows the total incompetence of the minister and dept of justice, and one ventured the opinion that it wasnt the first time the guards have been used to cover up such things including corruption, and the net effect of this will be the rebirth of the provos under a new green agenda.

[Akrasia]

I would say unbelievable, but it's far too believable.

There are 3 phases to the shill defence of this.

1. Deny that it is happening

2. Blame the innocent people who have been arrested

3. Pretend that it's an isolated incident involving 'a few bad apples' and say there should be an enquiry that will take years until eventually it can be chalked down as a matter of historical record for the sitting authorities to comment on and condemn as 'inappropriate'

[Dillinger]

Democracy my eye.

[montaillou]

Latest reports from Erris now suggest that Gardai are using Section 8 of the Public Order Act to keep people away from the O'Donnells' boats at Ballyglass pier. A group of forty or so Gardai have been put on the shore between Rossport Solidarity Camp and Broadhaven Bay to prevent people going out on the water. they have quoted no provision of law for doing this on repeated questioning by locals and campers. The Gardai are a mixed bunch of regular uniforms and public order unit. Of course all this heavy-handed Garda activity is related to the imminent arrival of the Solitaire, reportedly off the Stags of Broadhaven very recently.

[Ecoguy]

When the country i live in decides to deploy helicoptors, 2 naval ships,dozens of smaller boats, 400 state security goons(not including SHELLS dozens of hired thugs) and suspends multiple civil rights against a small community on behalf of corporate criminals like SHELL I expect to hear about it on the so called independent state broadcaster ie RTE. Instead this evening we get a blackout on events in ERRIS on both the 6pm and 9pm news and no mention on their text service.

This country is rapidly descending into some kind of dangerous banana fascist state. Let the fight back begin by every right minded citizen refusing to pay the TV license!!

[X-ray]

Come on it is very very important that shell get this gas ASAP as it will help our economy and they will pay us well for it.

Oh no, actually the lobsters will probably be worth more to us, Disgraceful.

[Jock_the_Waster]

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