Archbishop Tutu speaks out on Corrib as seven are arrested

Archbishop Tutu speaks out on Corrib as seven are arrested


Áine Ryan

NOBEL Peace Laureate and internationally renowned human rights activist, Archbishop Desmond Tutu has spoken out about the controversial Corrib gas controversy. In a statement received by The Mayo News yesterday, Most Reverend Tutu, expressed his support for ‘a national and international investigation’ into the recent alleged assault on Rossport farmer, Willie Corduff.
The call came after a weekend of further clashes at the Glengad landfall site where there were seven arrests on Saturday evening last when protestors made a number of attempts, using ropes and chains, to break down the site’s barriers.
The men, who range in age from their teens to the mid-forties, were due to appear before Belmullet District Court tomorrow, Wednesday. However, due to the weekend’s tragic road deaths, the court sitting has now been adjourned until a date in June. The seven are charged with public order offences, including criminal damage, obstruction and possession of offensive weapons.
The Shell to Sea protest, which was not formally supported by community groups Pobal le Chomáin and Pobal le Chéile, attracted around 150 people, including Mr James Monaghan of the Colombia Three.
A large garda presence of around 200 included a Garda Command and Control Unit, as well as 12 security vans, two-four-wheel drives and a transporter, parked inside the Shell compound. A spokesman confirmed the decision to deploy such a large number of the force was based on a risk assessment of a public order threat. The protest was publicised on the group’s website as ‘a national day of action’.
Checkpoints were also in place at approach roads. As a result, about 40 protestors accessed the area over Dooncarton mountain, the site of the 2003 landslide. There was also a large number of IRMS security guards on the site.  
The Mayo News witnessed a number of attempts to breach the barriers, which led to scuffles. Quick responses from gardaí on the outside of the fencing and security men on the inside meant these efforts failed.
The protest was convened to highlight a dispute over consents for the work at Glengad. While Minister Eamon Ryan has said that, on the advice of Mayo County Council, the ancillary works constitute exempted development, An Taisce has written to the local authority challenging this position.
Two observers from Frontline human rights organisation attended the protest.
Meanwhile, Dr Tutu stated that, as patron of the Irish peace and justice group, Afri, he was aware that Mr Willie Corduff had been physically attacked.
“I wish to support calls made by Afri and others for a national and international investigation into this incident and for steps to be taken to ensure that all parties, particularly those representing the state, demonstrate a commitment to non-violence and the protection of human rights,” continued Rev Tutu.
A regular visitor to Ireland, and a personal friend of former President Mary Robinson, Bishop Tutu is the Anglican Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town in South Africa.