RUNNING HAM-MOCK

More shenanigans at the end of the rainbow this week as those plucky campers in Rossport, Ireland (see SchNEWS 737) make more moves to stop Shell stealing their country’s lucky charms.

At 7am on Monday (20th) nine activists swam out to a drilling platform. Two strung themselves up in a hammock just under the platform, flanked by another two in kayaks and the rest in the water. By 9am the kayakers and swimmers had all been dragged back to shore and one drill on the platform was put to work.

Following complaints over the health and safety of the two suspended demonstrators, the drill was stopped temporarily, but work carried on later while the two layabouts continued to swing in their not so relaxing surroundings for the next 12 hours.

Contractors’ sub-sea-quent peace and quiet didn’t last long though as another 13 protesters waded out to a platform on Wednesday (22nd) and this time three amphibious activists set up in a hammock, stopping the drilling platform being moved to a new location. Equipped with water and food, the last SchNEWS heard is that they were still there; hopefully the wind and waves won’t take their toll too soon.

The direct action coincides with the lengthy hearing into the project, where Shell representatives and ‘expert’ witnesses have been facing a grilling from locals and activists about the proposed raw gas pipeline.

Others from the local area and Rossport Solidarity Camp managed to stop Shell big wigs getting onto their hotel-bound bus last Thursday (16th) after a long day in the hearing. An 80-page submission this Wednesday (22nd) by An Taisce has called for the already extended hearing to be adjourned due to shady tactics by Shell. It remains to be seen whether this will get the result they want.

*See www.shelltosea.com