Special Anarchist Boat Squadron (S.A.B.S.) Shannon protestors in court this morning
clare |
anti-war / imperialism |
news report 
Friday July 09, 2004 20:16
by karen - .....................
proceedings
court proceedings of the hearingsof Ed Hoprgan,Arron Baker,Eibhlin Ni hir (S.A.B.S.)
Judge: Mangen.
Defendant’s solicitor: Pat Daly.
Ed Horgan, Aaron Baker, Eibhlin Ni Hir (S.A.B.S.), were charged initially under section 8 of the public order act for their "sea assault" in defiance of the recent visit of George Bush jr to Ireland at Shannon airport. They were ordained to appear in court in Ennis, County Clare this morning where they were charged with a second "offence" as follows:
Contrary to section 4 6(1) of the Harbors acts 1996. On the 25/06/2004 at Inishcullen pt. Clare said district court area of Shannon, did enter a temporary exclusion zone between Mellon point and Beaves Rock lighthouse established between the hours of 1200 on the 24th of June and 1800 hours on the 26th of June 2004 by the harbor master of Shannon estuary. Signed Mr. Alan Coughlan.
After these additional charges were imposed on the defendants Judge Mangan had a two minute adjournment as he had forgotten his official stamps!
Initially the court swore in the arresting officer (Sgt. Mark G A Mc Keon) of the three to confirm the additional charge placed upon them today and their noted replies to this charge. According to this guard’s notes Ed Horgans reply was: "I believe I was unlawfully arrested at 2pm on the 26/05/04 (?) And will be challenging the legality for that."
A Gary Doyle order was requested this morning and he (the garda) recommended remand of the three until September.
Defendant’s solicitor: Pat Daly requested copies of the Garda helicopter video footage for all three. Copies of the C70 order for all three. A request for a copy of the order which enabled possible monitoring of Mr Horgans communications was sought if such an order was indeed to be found.
Inspector Kennedy “I am not aware that such an order exists”
Pat Daly “we would like a copy of it, if such an order exists”
Inspector Kennedy “We will comply, if it exists.” and “would like the hearing to be put back until the 1st of September for mention”
Pat Daly “we would like a hearing date and counsel will be present”
Judge Mangan “Thursday 16th September for a possible hearing?”
Sergeant Mark G A Mc Keon (still in the stand) “I will be on holiday then, can we do it in October?”
Judge Mangan ”Tuesday 5th, Wednesday 6th, Thursday 7th,Monday 11th,Wednesday 20th, Thursday 21st of October?”
Pat Daly “we wish to continue bail until the 3rd of September 2004 to fix a trial date.” Also requests legal aid for Eibhlin Ni Hir, which is granted.” in relation to Aaron Baker and Eibhlin Ni Hir’s bail terms not to go within 20 miles of Shannon during the 23rd of june, we would like these to be dropped now. In relation to Mr. Horgan’s bail restriction not to be within less than 5 miles of Shannon during the period between the 23rd to the 26th of June, we would request that this also be dropped”
Judge Mangan “Dispense with bail condition no 4?” “It is just a straight bail condition, is that right?”(In reference to Eibhlin)
Inspector Kennedy” Yes, there is other conditions, the standard one which consists that she attend”
Judge Mangan” so that’s it?”
Pat Daly “yes sir”
Court will sit for the three once again on the third of September 2004 to set a trial date…..
SPECIAL ANARCHIST BOAT SQAUDRON ACTION HISTORY and ruminations from a friendly "seal"
The original boat trip up the Shannon Estuary was undertaken and intended as a peaceful unarmed protest to exercise their rights under Article 40 of the Constitution. The three individuals were not aware of any exclusion zone on the waters or the Shannon Estuary and they later discovered that this alleged exclusion zone was only notified to within the Shannon Foynes Harbour Port Company, its staff and pilots, to two local Yacht Clubs, and to Valentia Marine Radio service, but was not notified to the general public in any way and was not demarcated in any way on the water and was not patrolled or protected in any effective way to warn or prevent small boats from entering this alleged exclusion zone. The three mariners were charged with loitering in a public place, in an exclusion zone, which seems a bit of a contradiction.
About 150,000 US heavily armed troops have passed through Shannon Airport, an exclusion zone under international law for foreign troops on their way to
War, thousands of whom have been seen loitering with intent around Shannon
Airport Terminal Building, over the past fifteen months, yet not one of
Them have been arrested or charged.
On 25 and 26 June 2004, one Mr George Bush, suspected war criminal, was
Seen loitering around Shannon Airport and the grounds of Dromoland Castle,
In his underclothes, yet this suspected war criminal was not arrested in spite
Of the presence of up to 10,000 members of the Irish Security Forces. Yet
Three peace activists who attempted to alert the Irish Government, the Irish
People and the security forces were themselves arrested, for blowing their
Whistles too loudly! At one point during their arrest a minor emergency
Was declared when suspicious objects were discovered in their possession.
On further investigation these items were found to be whistles or hooters,
Dangerous weapons of mass destruction.
These peace activists have done nothing more that seek to speak and expose
The truth, and for this they have been arrested, detained, and charged. The truth in this case is terrible. Ireland has knowingly and willingly participated in the killing of over 20,000 innocent people in Iraq.
These three, and all other peace activists at Shannon will continue to speak the truth at every opportunity, and will do so fearlessly and faithfully.Harrassment, prosecution and imprisonment by the government, the Gardai, and the judicial system will not silence them.
THEY MAY TAKE OUR BODIES AND OUR LIVES IF THEY MUST, BUT THEY SHALL NOT TAKE OUR CONCIENCE OR OUR FREEDOM….
Comments (17 of 17)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17im sorry but that report is highly confusing?
Lest we forget, our neighbours are all humankind. We Irish have helped to kill innocent children in Afghanistan and Iraq. We are killing our neighbours children. Well done to all who expose the truth, however painful the revelation.
The report is just a transcript of what happened in court with an added comment at the bottom.It may be confusing due to some spelling mistakes and the format change in the text, although it may be because in transcript the court process confuses.It also confuses when you are actually present anyway.
The gist is basically that it was put off till the third of september 2004.Same place and time, to set a trial date for the activists.
On another point,We are all responsible for the deaths caused by humanity whether we like to admit it or not. Which is why we try to work for peace in any way we can.
Unless of course you're a stenographer,
in which case you will be even more valued by the movement. We need stenographers, enough of these indymedia minidisc sony latest type of activists, if we really want to be "a force to be reckoned with", then we need to bring rebel stenographers to the fore of all actions. Stenographers earn more than journalism course students, and have been proved by top scientists to have considerably more sex appeal, therefore we recommend that in future Stenographers be assinged the mid Grafton Street pitch on Saturdays to distribute Party (ooops sorry) - grassroots propaganda. Our preliminary inquiries have established a base of at least 240,000 stenographers in Ireland (southern) who will be easily taught the relevant jargon and recognise senior party (ooops sorry)- grassroots personel when they appear for spot checks of adherence to anaylitical dogma...
- [excerpts of my internal report on the state of grass root anti war activity]
Dunno about the others but Ed Horgan is no anarchist. The headline on this piece is completely stoopid.
If Ed wanted to use Special Anarchist Boat Squad as a name for this action he would have done so. How dare anarchists try to hijack somebody elses action! Has it crossed your mind that Ed Horgan probably wouldn't like the media to start reporting it in this vein or calling him an anarchist? It should be his choice.
Anarchists have carried out very few direct actions at Shannon but they seem eager to claim other people's actions. Pretty sad in my view.
its not claiming its trying to be funny im sure ed has sense of humour...
the difference between stuff sort of claiming and and another sort(use your imagination)
is that they would be deadly serious about it
and what other acts have anarchist claimed and who are hoise anarchist ?
oops sorry,
in fact my spelling was bad, Ed is actually a close friend and has a wicked sense of humour and the notes were handwritten in court by myself. A skill that i hope someone has when i am on trial.
Found it very funny....
If Ed has no objection to using the word we sure as hell don't
as to the shit stirers come on fer fecks sake surely you have something useful to do with your lives
Krossie
Well I'd object if it isn't accurate. I thought Ed was more along the lines of the Green Party. Could be wrong, and respect to him whatever the case. But if he isn't an anarchist then it seems dodgy and silly to label him or so closely associate him with such. Of course the others could be, so perhaps SABS is fairly accurate!
When Tony Blair was attacking all those at Genoa, he chose to use the term 'travelling circus of anarchists'. Even though I'm not of the persuasion, some of my friends are........
Personally I enjoyed the humour of the piece - I'm sure Mangan thinks he's an anarchist.
Three members of the Special Trotskyist Boat Squad were arrested in Shannon on June 25th.
Any objections?
Cause we know there's fuck all chance of that happening!
They only go by train anyway.
"a gary doyle order"... someone explained it to me before but i couldnt remember has to ask someone...
Its where you can get a copy of any documents relating to a prosecution against you. For example if you were arrested you could see a copy of your statement or the garda's statements or details of the case.
also don't understand...
Pat Daly “we wish to continue bail until the 3rd of September 2004 to fix a trial date.” Also requests legal aid for Eibhlin Ni Hir, which is granted.” in relation to Aaron Baker and Eibhlin Ni Hir’s bail terms not to go within 20 miles of Shannon during the 23rd of june, we would like these to be dropped now. In relation to Mr. Horgan’s bail restriction not to be within less than 5 miles of Shannon during the period between the 23rd to the 26th of June, we would request that this also be dropped”
Judge Mangan “Dispense with bail condition no 4?” “It is just a straight bail condition, is that right?”(In reference to Eibhlin)
what is bail condition number four and who was it dropped for?
--
The three individuals were not aware of any exclusion zone on the waters or the Shannon Estuary and they later discovered that this alleged exclusion zone was only notified to within the Shannon Foynes Harbour Port Company, its staff and pilots, to two local Yacht Clubs, and to Valentia Marine Radio service, but was not notified to the general public in any way and was not demarcated in any way on the water and was not patrolled or protected in any effective way to warn or prevent small boats from entering this alleged exclusion zone.
--
i argee wth your summation of the events but i still confused about em.. who one warn of a exclusion zone...beyond those using the local port?
Some of my best friends are anarchists
Well Dan yeah I think it's silly jokey sort of title which is not meant to be taken seriously like people's use of Tony's travelling circus phrase, but to me this usage does trivialise the term anarchist.
But it's hardly a major issue and special anarcist/green party boat squadron doesn't really have that ring to it does it....plus there was anarcho involvement Dan.
celebrated on J18 July Sunday past, which saw hundreds of people demonstrate creativity, common purpose of action, and some technical skill, whilst working with vessels made from recycled urban material [rubbish], interestingly yesterday handed over an envelope with the astronomical sum of 100€ within to cover the costs of food, water and damages incurred.
see more at this weeks in the sunday papers article comments on the newswire.
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