After several weeks of holiday, work has recommenced at the proposed refinery site at Bellanaboy. Maintaining the increased pressure that had been applied to Shell in the weeks before the holiday period, at around 8.30am this morning around 20 people occupied the site. The protestors bypassed security and walked in through the main gate onto the site beside a lorry that was entering. The group made their way to the main area where work was taking place. Shortly after their arrival all work on the site stopped. The protestors took the site occupation as an opportunity to investigate claims that concrete and steel that had been used in the early stages of construction was substandard. Upon questioning (on camera) a senior worker admitted that there were problems with the quality of materials used in the foundations. Aside from problems with a few over officious security and more senior workers, interaction with people working on site was amiable and provided an opportunity for information sharing. After about half an hour three Gardai arrived. Their presence was of little consequence until work on site recommenced at around 11.30. At this point, when some people attempted to block trucks from moving, the Gardai assaulted a female protestor, resulting in cuts on her hands. They also attempted to bundle another protestor into a Garda car even though he had not been arrested. At around 11.45 the protestors made a tactical decision to leave the site en masse. They joined 20 others who were waiting outside. A short while later, when a new truck attempted to enter site, the protestors stopped its entry. The site was blockaded until the Gardaí returned half an hour later. The day was widely viewed as a success.
Resistance continues at Bellanaboy!
Join the national day of action on the 14th September see  http://www.indymedia.ie/article/83932