Policing of the Corrib gas protests: Difference between revisions

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	==Bellanaboy==		==Bellanaboy==
	After the ] were jailed at the request of Shell, for civil ] in the summer of 2005 for refusing to allow Shell workers access to their lands, supporters blockaded all project works around ] in protest. The recently formed ] (S2S) took part in the campaign with the aim of having the gas refined offshore as is done in Kinsale Head gas field]]. These blockades were maintained until October 2006, when hundreds of Gardaí used force to remove protesters from in and around the sites.<ref>http://www.tribune.ie/archive/article/2007/may/06/shell-corrib-gas-protesters-have-cost-gardai-over-/</ref>		After the ] were jailed at the request of Shell, for civil ] in the summer of 2005 for refusing to allow Shell workers access to their lands, supporters blockaded all project works around ] in protest. The recently formed ] (S2S) took part in the campaign with the aim of having the gas refined offshore as is done in ]. These blockades were maintained until October 2006, when hundreds of Gardaí used force to remove protesters from in and around the sites.<ref>http://www.tribune.ie/archive/article/2007/may/06/shell-corrib-gas-protesters-have-cost-gardai-over-/</ref>
	] remove a ] man from a protest at the ] Shell site, August 2008]]		] remove a ] man from a protest at the ] Shell site, August 2008]]
	Previous to this, the Gardaí had not interfered with the blockades, which stayed in place for fifteen months. The methods used to break the blockades were controversial, and made national TV news in Ireland, even being reported as far away as ]. Some protesters were hospitalised, and many people accused the police of using excessive force. Gardaí were also accused of operating a "no-arrest policy" in order to circumvent the judicial process (this was based on comments made by ] ] in an interview in ''Garda Review'', in which he stated: "There were no arrests. That was part of our strategy; we did not want to facilitate anyone down there with a route to martyrdom.")		Previous to this, the Gardaí had not interfered with the blockades, which stayed in place for fifteen months. The methods used to break the blockades were controversial, and made national TV news in Ireland, even being reported as far away as ]. Some protesters were hospitalised, and many people accused the police of using excessive force. Gardaí were also accused of operating a "no-arrest policy" in order to circumvent the judicial process (this was based on comments made by ] ] in an interview in ''Garda Review'', in which he stated: "There were no arrests. That was part of our strategy; we did not want to facilitate anyone down there with a route to martyrdom.")

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File:Garda victim.jpg

A Shell to Sea protester is removed by paramedics from Lennon's quarry, Glencastle after an encounter with the Garda Public Order Unit, November 2006

The Corrib gas project of Royal Dutch Shell, Statoil and Vermillion Energy Trust has generated opposition from people who will be directly affected by it in Erris, as well as others from around Ireland and abroad. Protests and actions against the project has created a situation which has necessitated a large policing presence at sites related to the project. Complaints from protesters arising from the policing of these protest have been made about the conduct of the Garda Síochána to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. The Gardaí's response to protests have drawn criticism from NGOs and some politicians

Bellanaboy

After the Rossport Five were jailed at the request of Shell, for civil contempt of court in the summer of 2005 for refusing to allow Shell workers access to their lands, supporters blockaded all project works around Kilcommon in protest. The recently formed Shell to Sea (S2S) took part in the campaign with the aim of having the gas refined offshore as is done in Kinsale Head gas field. These blockades were maintained until October 2006, when hundreds of Gardaí used force to remove protesters from in and around the sites.

File:Shell to Sea protest in Glengad.jpg

Gardaí remove a Belmullet man from a protest at the Glengad Shell site, August 2008

Previous to this, the Gardaí had not interfered with the blockades, which stayed in place for fifteen months. The methods used to break the blockades were controversial, and made national TV news in Ireland, even being reported as far away as Australia. Some protesters were hospitalised, and many people accused the police of using excessive force. Gardaí were also accused of operating a "no-arrest policy" in order to circumvent the judicial process (this was based on comments made by Superintendent Joe Gannon in an interview in Garda Review, in which he stated: "There were no arrests. That was part of our strategy; we did not want to facilitate anyone down there with a route to martyrdom.")

The Garda operation succeeded in its goal of breaking the blockades preventing work on the refinery site at Bellanaboy. Work there has continued (with brief pauses occasioned by site occupations and lock-ons) since, and, finally, in July 2010 the inland refinery is almost complete, albeit that there is no access route between it and the sea some 10 kilometres distant. In June 2010 Shell have put in five planning permission applications to various Government bodies for compulsory acquisition orders on privately owned lands, for the building of a proposed tunnel under Sruwaddacon Bay even though it is supposed to be protected under EU legislation of N.H.A.'s, S.A.C.'s and S.P.A's. At times, hundreds of Gardaí have been deployed to facilitate the project. Many people involved in Shell to Sea also complained of harassment and intimidation from police away from the protests.

Superintendent Gannon was replaced by Superintendent John Gilligan (formerly of Interpol). Gannon was moved to Pearse Street Garda station in Dublin.

Glengad

In July 2008, preparatory work for the raw gas pipeline began in Glengad. Under Gilligan's superintendency over forty arrests made in the summer of 2008. The Irish Navy were brought in to provide assistance in dealing with protests on water. Local businessman and fisherman Pat O'Donnell accused the Gardaí of selective policing, alleging that they made no answer to call for assistance in defending his private property, crab pots that were in the path of the pipe laying vessel, Solitaire. Gardaí arrested O'Donnell and his son twice in a 24-hour period from the sea on public order charges, but desisted when their solicitor requested they charge his clients or stop arresting them.

File:Shell to Sea protester injured in Belmullet Courthouse.jpg

Rossport Solidarity Camp spokesman Niall Harnett is removed from Belmullet courthouse following an altercation with Gardaí, March 2009

The Garda Water Unit were used to manage the actions of water-based protesters who sought to disrupt the Shell works. Shell's survey boats in Srahwuddacon Bay in Erris were accompanied at all times by several Gardaí in their own boat, when surveying feasible routes for the gas pipeline. In August and September 2008, members of the unit entered the sea to wrestle with Shell to Sea protesters near the Shell compound of Glengad beach..

Superintendent Gilligan was replaced by Superintendent Mick Larkin in the autumn of 2008 and transferred to the Garda Press Office.

By September 2008, the cost of the operation was €10 Million and is estimated to have cost €13.5 Million by the end of January 2009 .

Pobal Chill Chomáin

Pobal Chill Chomáin have also complained of Garda surveillance.

Involvement of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has recommended that disciplinary action be taken against an unnamed senior member of An Garda Síochána in relation to the handling of the protest. The GSOC investigation was undertaken under section 95 of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005, after receipt of complaints over Garda handling of a protest at Pollathomas pier in June 2007. Some 20 civilians and two gardaí were injured when a landowner objected to trespass on his property by contractors for Shell EP Ireland. The GSOC initially asked the Minister for Justice whether it could investigate the complaints under section 106 of the Garda Síochána Act. This was turned down by the Minister. Some 68 gardaí were contacted by the GSOC – a move criticised by the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors.

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