Irish Independent: New Shell move just a stunt, says Rossport daughter: “THE daughter of one of the men jailed for opposing the Shell gas pipeline last night dismissed the company's latest statement as a PR stunt.”: Thursday Aug 25, 2005

THE daughter of one of the men jailed for opposing the Shell gas pipeline last night dismissed the company's latest statement as a PR stunt.

The five Mayo men have been in Cloverhill Prison for 50 days after they refused to obey a High Court order to stop obstructing the construction of the pipeline for the Corrib gas field on their lands.

Brid Ni Sheighin said Shell's announcement that it was considering its legal options would not free her father, Micheal, from jail.

Shell said: "While the legal impediments to the removal of the injunction remain, Shell is examining what options are possible to overcome the current impasse," it said.

Supporters of the Rossport Five called on people to picket fuel stations owned by Statoil, a shareholder in the gasfield project, 5-7pm tomorrow.

Meanwhile, non-party TDs Marian Harkin and Catherine Murphy who were listed to participate in a debate on the role of independents in politics, boycotted the Humbert Davitt Summer School in Ballina yesterday in support of Mayo TD Dr Jerry Cowley whose invitation to speak was withdrawn.

Journalist John Cooney, who has been a director of the school for the past 19 years, said he withdrew the invitation to Dr Cowley to speak because at a private meeting he had voted for the decision of the Shell to Sea campaign not to participate in the debate.

Tom Shiel

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