The daughter of one of the five men jailed yesterday for refusing to allow Shell to begin work on their land today appealed to the public to boycott Shell and Statoil products.
Ms Bríd Ní Sheighin, daughter of Michael Ó Sheighin, was speaking at a press conference this afternoon. The five men are objecting to the building of a gas pipeline through their land.
Mary Philbin, sister of jailed Brendan Philbin
Ms Ní Sheighin read a statement from the men in English and in Irish. "This pipeline is unsafe by Shell’s own international standards. It must not pass our homes. There is an easy solution: Clean it at Sea"
She appealed for the support of the public in objecting to the pipeline. "Come and see how close our houses are to the pipeline. Picket and boycott Shell and Statoil products," she said.
"Pressure needs to be put on Minister Noel Dempsey. Contact him by e-mail, phone and letter. Get him to withdraw consent for this pipeline," she added.
Mary Philbin, sister of Brendan Philbin, who was also jailed yesterday, said it was the unrefined nature of the gas that her brother objected to.
"My brother is in prison because of unrefined gas going through his front garden. It’s not the gas he objects to, its the fact that it is unrefined. It’s a health and safety issue," she said.
She added: "I would like to call on Enda Kenny and Pat Rabbitte, opposition leaders and fellow Mayo men, to support us."
Visibly upset, Mr Ó Seighin’s wife, Caitlín, said she was extremely angry. "I have never been in a courtroom in my whole life until yesterday. I am not feeling too well today. I didn’t sleep last night."
Independent TD for Clare, Mr James Breen said it was a disgrace that the five men were jailed. "They stood up for their rights. This is supposed to be a democracy. They have been scurrilously treated by Shell."
Sister Majella McCarron of the Shell to Sea group said: "The Minister said yesterday it wouldn’t be prudent for him to intervene in this matter. If he puts such a value on prudence, he should recognise that these men are being prudent not letting this pipe go through."
Ms Bríd Ní Sheighin added: "We want this pipeline independently and scientifically assessed. We will not accept assessment by Shell."