Derry City Council welcomes Rossport residents

Joe Murray (AFRI), Richard Moore (Children in Crossfire), Vincent McGrath (Rossport Resident), Mary Corduff (Rossport Resident), Sinn Fèin Councillor Gerry Mac Lochlainn and Willie Corduff (Rossport Resident)

RESIDENTS from Rossport, County Mayo, campaigning against the Shell gas pipeline route were welcomed to Derry’s Guildhall last Friday by Sinn Féin Councillor Gerry Mac Lochlainn, chair of Derry City Council’s Environmental Services Committee.
Speaking after meeting the residents, Cllr Mac Lochlainn expressed his shock and horror at the accounts of abuse and physical assaults which residents are facing as Shell attempts to force through a high-pressure gas pipeline within yards of local people’s homes.
Cllr Mac Lochlainn said:
“Willie Corduff told me of a recent attack by a group of security men apparently working for the gas consortium, an attack which left Mr Corduff hospitalised, severely hurt and traumatised.
“Archbishop Desmond Tutu has expressed his concern over this particular attack and stated, ‘It was while taking part in a non-violent protest action that Mr Corduff was set upon by Shell security and seriously beaten up. I wish to support calls by AFRI and others for an international investigation into this incident and for steps to be taken to ensure that all parties, particularly those representing the state, demonstrate a commitment to non-violence and the protection of human rights’.
“This clear call from Archbishop Tutu should be supported by all people concerned about human rights and the protection of our environment.”

COMPROMISE SOLUTION
The Sinn Féin councillor pointed out that the local residents in Rossport have proposed a compromise solution that would have facilitated the offshore processing plant and pipeline without endangering local people. Despite this, Shell and their partners in Statoil and Marathon seemed to be determined to press their option through no matter what the costs.
Gerry Mac Lochlainn ended:
“This is intolerable and I call on all politicians to raise this matter with the Irish Government as a matter of urgency and demand a full inquiry into this attack.”
He added that a commitment should be sought from the Government that local people will be protected and that Shell be told that they must sit down now with local residents and look for a compromise solution “that will allow them to develop their business in a way that does not threaten the lives and livelihoods of local residents”.