CORK ACTION (Second Blockade) AGAINST SHELL

Oil Tankers Turned Back Again

A second successful blockade was held this morning outside the Shell Oil Terminal on Centre Park Rd. in Cork.

A second successful blockade was held this morning outside the Shell Oil Terminal on Centre Park Rd. in Cork. The blockade was held in solidarity with the Rossport 5. About 20 people turned up at 7.30 am. This time Shell reacted aggressively, 'ordering' protestors away from their gates. However after being given short shrift by the blockade, the Gardaí were called. By this time the three gates into the Terminal were blocked. The Gardaí - a force of four! - consulted with Shell management and then desisted from attempting to force any of the tankers through. One theory suggests that Shell is running scared to the adverse publicity in the light of the growing boycott of their operations. In all nearly 10 tankers were prevented from entering. However one tanker did attempt to run a line of picketers with nearly tragic consequences. But this tanker also turned back.

The protest continued until 9 am. A mass meeting of protestors agreed to call a further protest this Thursday morning at the same time.