IRMS continue to assault Corrib campaigners on public roads

mayo | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Sunday September 18, 2011 13:04

by Shell to Sea

Gardaí look on as Shell security continue to use unlawful force on peaceful protestors

On Thursday last, the 15th September, Shell's private security force, IRMS continued their practice of using force on the public road as they see fit. Once again the Gardaí sat close by and witnessed this unlawful use of force by IRMS and allowed it to continue unimpeded.

IRMS hauling campaigners across a public road

At approximately 2:30pm last Thursday, a small number of campaigners from the Rossport Solidarity Camp went down to the entrance of the Shell compound in Aughoose to peacefully protest. Workers at the compound were attempting to lay tarmac at the entrace to the compound, so the campaigners attempted to sit down on the edge of the road. However the campaigners were prevented from sitting down at the edge of the road by IRMS and were pushed, kicked, punched, pulled and carried away from sitting down at the edge of the road. This continued for over 45 minutes during which Gardaí watched the whole situation from Garda vans parked no more than 50 metres away.

Commenting on the latest incident Shell to Sea spokesperson Terence Conway stated “Let's be clear about this: Shell's private security - IRMS - have absolutely no right to use any force on campaigners who are peacefully protesting on a public road. The fact that Gardaí would watch IRMS assault campaigners for nearly an hour on a public road is another clear example of the total suspension of the rule of law in relation to protesting against Shell.”

“In October in Geneva, the UN Universal Periodic Review will review Ireland's human rights record, and while the Irish Government give great lip-service to human rights abuses in far-away places, they are letting Shell and the Gardaí here in Mayo do whatever they wish to peaceful protestors”. [1][2]

NOTES

[1] UN urged to examine Irish human rights lapses – Irish Times - 13th August 2011
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0813/1....html

[2] Shell to Sea highlights human rights abuses to UN
http://www.shelltosea.com/content/shell-sea-highlights-...es-un

Peacefully sitting on edge of a public road

A person shall be guilty of the offence of assault who, without lawful excuse, intentionally or recklessly … (a) directly or indirectly applies force to or causes an impact on the body of another … without the consent of the other.

Gardaí watching on as IRMS assault campaigners

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Comments (4 of 4)

Letter of complaint

by Justin Morahan

Sun Oct 02, 2011 20:55

Subject:
Unlawful actions of IRMS in Mayo
From:
Justin Morahan
Date:
Sun, 2 Oct 2011 13:22:44 +0100
To:

To: Person Responsible for Actions of Personnel

Integrated Risk Management Services

Senaca House, Unit A6, Tougher Business Park, Newhall, Naas, Co. Kildare

A chara

I am appalled by the interference of your members in situations which are the responsibility of the Garda Síochána, and by your manhandling and assault of peaceful protestors on public roads in west Mayo.

Would you please let me know

(1) whether or not the actions of your employees, such as those reported and photographed on an Indymedia Ireland post on 25 September 2011 were authorised by the Irish Government or any Irish Government minister

(2) whether or not your employees requested permission from the Garda Síochána at any level to interfere in the protest by physically
manhandling the protestors

(3) Who was responsible for making the decision that IRMS Services employees interfere in that protest

(4) Have any of your members been disciplined for interfering as they did.

I look forward to your reply

With best personal wishes

Justin Morahan, Human Rights activist

cc to: Mr Enda Kenny TD, Taoiseach
Mr Éamon Gilmore, TD, Tanaiste
Mr Éamon Ryan, TD,Green Party
Mr Mícheal Martin, TD Fianna Fáil
United Left Alliance TDs
Mr Gerry Adams TD, Sinn Féin
Garda Ombudsman

geneve?

by erris

Sun Oct 02, 2011 11:04

hey guys, so you said in the article that their reviewing irelands human rights history in geneve in october, well im close to geneve kind of, and its october,so if you have any more info about it and any ideas for a one manned protest i could do,send me an email!

Shocking

by Molotov

Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:51

Shell's private army seem to think they are above the law to be so clearly assaulting people on the public road. Fair play to all still going strong with the protests against Shell's unwanted project.
stay safe. x

More Photos

Sun Sep 18, 2011 13:48

2 full Garda Vans looking on