Victory for the Rossport 5

Newsbyte: On the 29th of September 2005, the Rossport 5 won part of an ongoing battle with Shell and Stat Oil.

They were finally released after spending 94 days in jail. Word of the happy victory spread like fire throughout the country.

Brothers Philip and Vincent McGrath, Micheál Ó Seighín, Willie Corduff and Brendan Philbin had spent 94 days in Cloverhill Prison after they defied a court order stating that they must stop protesting about work being carried out by Shell in Co. Mayo.

This is a huge victory, a victory for everyone who has supported them: activists, protesters, the 5 Mayo men and their families, who all should be immensely proud of their release from jail and the milestone that it represents.

StatOil and Shell are huge multinational companies that are not thinking of the Irish people and Irish land. These companies seem to not care about the people and will continue to be corruptive and powerful in Ireland and throughout the world.

The bravery, research and massive amount of public awareness that the Rossport 5 have achieved is immense not only in terms of finally being free from jail but also in the message that is spreading throughout Ireland and the world, a message which will go down in history: Irish people will not be walked over. They are not afraid to protect their rights!

This fantastic victory is one that is hugely supported in Ireland and will continue to be voiced until the gas refinery is moved out to sea. The joy, strength and freedom were celebrated at the weekend in Ireland. Bands played, people danced and fires were lit to welcome home the 5 Mayo men. This was one day that was immensely celebrated and will be forever remembered!

See www.shelltosea.com for more information.

News reported by: Amy Hoedemakers

The opinions of writers featured on SpunOut.ie do not necessarily reflect the views of the SpunOut.ie team or those of Community Creations. We try to give everyone a chance to have their opinions heard but we are not responsible for inaccuracies contained within these.