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Anti-Shell fisherman speaks of attack & sinking of boat

Mika | 11.06.2009 23:19 | Climate Chaos | Repression | Social Struggles | World

Attacks by both Shell security and mystery masked men on opponents of the oil company's damaging gas pipeline project have increased in recent weeks. Early Thursday morning, pipeline critic Pat O'Donnell's fishing boat was boarded by four armed masked men, who held the crew captive while sinking the vessel. This follows in the wake of outspoken farmer Willie Corduff being beaten up at night and protestors being thrown off ships by Shell security.

Account of the sinking of the Iona Isle this morning from outspoken pipeline critic Pat O'Donnell:

Pat O'Donnell's fishing boat was boarded by four masked men, two of whom were armed, at approximately two o clock this morning whilst out at sea laying pots. The two armed men held Mr O'Donnell and his crewman Martin McDonnell in the wheelhouse of the boat while another two went below deck for 20 minutes. These men returned to the deck and the two crew members were held for one and a half hours until the engine went out. At this point the masked men alighted onto an unknown vessel that took them away. None of the men spoke good English.

Mr O'Donnell went down to the engine room and realised that the boat was sinking.The two fishermen put out a mayday signal and attempted to inflate their lifeboat. The inflation mechanism failed a number of times but eventually worked with only moments left to spare. Once onboard the lifeboat Mr O'Donnell and Mr McDonnell sent out a distress flare. They were rescued at 4.30am by the 'Rachel Mary', another boat owned by Pat O’Donnell and operated by his son, Jonathan O’Donnell. He then rang the Gardai at around 6am to inform them of the incident.

Pat said '"I was in fear for my life, is there no end to what these thugs will try to do? AIl I am trying to do is protect my family and the seas that are our livelihood. I told Minster O'Cuiv in April that I needed protection by the state, but he wouldn't give it - now its time for the government to protect its people.I won't be intimidated by this."

Pat O’Donnell is a local fisherman with over thirty years experience in the waters off the coast of Ireland. It is assumed that Pat O'Donnell was targeted as he is one of the loudest objectors to Shell's Corrib Gas Project. As a fifth generation fisherman his livelihood will be crippled by pollution from the corrib project into Broadhaven bay. Determined to protect the waters for future generations of fishermen, Mr. O'Donnell has consistently refused to be paid off by Shell.

Mika

Comments

Hide the following 3 comments

controversial opinion

12.06.2009 11:15

While I think Shell pushing this pipeline is appauling I also think fishing, as a sport or for personal/corporate profit, is as appauling. It's always great to hear a fisherman's boat sunk, one less murderer on the seas as they say. Just a shame its in an attempt to silence critics against (further) destroying life in the bay for corporate interests.

Its strange how someone destroying life is against others destroying life though. Isn't this oxymoronic and/or selfish? Maybe its to do with money [livelihood], rather than eco-defence?

It was only the other week Sea Shepherd launched an aggressive campaign to clear the Mediterranean Sea of (illegal) fishing operations  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/06/432016.html

My point is you can't complain about life being destroyed when you're destroying it.

Pat's quote is probably what fish think before he tries to kill them...

"I was in fear for my life, is there no end to what these thugs will try to do? AIl I am trying to do is protect my family and the seas that are our livelihood."

Sorry but I have no sympathy for serial killers or corporate thugs.

no sympathy


not just Nigeria then

12.06.2009 13:28

So their tactics are the same worldwide huh? Shame for Shell that Ireland doesn't have the death penalty... I'm sure they would be pushing for it to be used if they could.

Krop


Wat powers the boat

14.06.2009 16:10

So the fisherman has not 1 boat but at least 2. Where does he get the diesel from to fuel those boats? No sympathy from me. Why doesn't he practice what he preaches and stop using fossil fuels in his boats

Hippo


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