EIRE: RTE POLL SAYS 'POLICE PROTECTING SHELL'S INTEREST'
A substantial body of public opinion in Ireland believes that the Irish police are not being evenhanded in their dealings with unrest in north Mayo caused by ongoing developments in the area by the Shell Corporation.
Following the arrest of several fishermen last week in the Broadhaven bay area an RTE poll found that 74% of respondents felt that Gardai were putting Shells interest before the interests of the public.
The question posed was:
"Are the gardai protecting Shell's interests over the public by arresting the two fishermen?"
Details of the poll can be found at:
Meanwhile Gardai appear to be unconcerned about this overwhelming vote of no confidence in their policing methods. The latest visual images from the Shell to Sea site show graphic images of a small protest yesterday being ruthlessly suppressed.
It is reported that "An Garda Siochana once again showed who they really want to work for as they defended Shell property with their customary zeal and thuggery. Four people were arrested during this action; the Gardai were particularly rough with those arrested, and the four arrested were released at around 5pm."
One of those arrested was the son of Maura Harrington, (the lady whose hunger strike we reported on earlier - Celtic News 2789). It is reported on the Shell to Sea website that he was "treated him with particular venom, as part of an ongoing campaign of violence and harassment against all his family".
See full report complete with photographs of "community policing" at:
J B Moffatt
Director of Information
Celtic League
14/09/08
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