Maura Harrington

Last updated

Maura Harrington
Born (1953-09-15) 15 September 1953 (age 70)
OccupationFormer school principal
Known forOpposition to Royal Dutch Shell's Corrib gas project
Movement Shell to Sea

Maura Harrington (born 15 September 1953) is a spokesperson for the Shell to Sea campaign, from County Mayo, Ireland. A retired school principal of Inver National School, [1] she has been jailed on a number of occasions for her involvement in Shell to Sea protests.

Contents

Campaign work

Harrington has previously been involved in fundraising for the British Miners' Strike, as well as campaigning against the Maastricht Treaty.[ citation needed ]

On 12 October 2006, Harrington sustained head and neck injuries while Gardaí cleared demonstrators blocking an access road used by Shell workers on the Corrib gas project. [2]

Harrington has described herself as a Marxist. [3]

On 9 September 2008, she began a hunger strike in protest at the arrival of the Solitaire , an Allseas pipe-laying ship assisting Royal Dutch Shell. The strike took place at the gates of the Shell compound in Glengad in Erris, in her car. It ended after the ship left Ireland for repairs. [4] She appeared in Belmullet District Court on 8 October 2008 accused of a public order offence related to a protest when President Mary McAleese attended the official opening of a civic centre in Belmullet in April 2007. [5] In March 2009, she was found guilty of this charge. [6] She was also found guilty of assaulting a Garda [6] during a fracas which saw several protesters injured. [7] [ failed verification ] For this, she was given a sentence of 28 days imprisonment, fined and bound to keep the peace for 12 months, though she opted not to pay the fine or sign the bond. [6] The judge in the case, Mary Devins, wife of the Fianna Fáil TD Jimmy Devins, also directed Harrington to receive a psychiatric assessment due to what she described as her "bizarre" behaviour [8] an order which received criticism, with Senator David Norris comparing the decision to the tactics used in Stalinist dictatorships in Eastern Europe where political dissidents were portrayed as mentally ill. [9] Harrington denied both charges, and did not give evidence in protest after Judge Devins refused to allow video evidence of the incident to be shown. [10] She served her sentence in Dublin's Mountjoy Prison. [11] Protests and other events took place outside the prison in solidarity, as well as at the offices of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. [11] [12] [13]

On 6 April 2009, Harrington was due to speak at an event in London organised by Amnesty International to highlight the forthcoming Wiwa family lawsuits against Royal Dutch Shell, but was unable to because of her imprisonment. [14] [15] [16] [17] In July 2009, Harrington was jailed for four months for public order offences relating to demonstrations, a sentence which was appealed. [18]

In February 2010, Judge Raymond Groarke accused Harrington of being like a member of "the secret police" following a period when the local area saw an influx of many Integrated Risk Management Services guards. [19]

In December 2018 Maura Harrington was a speaker at a protest held in Strokestown, County Roscommon, where roughly 1,000 people gathered to protest against the eviction of a family from their home. Video footage of the eviction had gone viral in Ireland and lead to much criticism after it depicted security contractors from Northern Ireland removing the family by force. [20] Subsequently, the security contractors were attacked at a second location, leading to multiple arrests. [21] It was reported that Harrington instructed the crowd to operate in secret, but not to do anything for which they could be arrested for and "to take care no one be killed". [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">County Mayo</span> County in Ireland

County Mayo is a county in Ireland. In the West of Ireland, in the province of Connacht, it is named after the village of Mayo, now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority. The population was 137,231 at the 2022 census. The boundaries of the county, which was formed in 1585, reflect the Mac William Íochtar lordship at that time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belmullet</span> Town in County Mayo, Ireland

Belmullet is a coastal Gaeltacht town with a population of 1,019 on the Mullet Peninsula in the barony of Erris, County Mayo, Ireland. It is the commercial and cultural heart of the barony of Erris, which has a population of almost 10,000. According to the 2016 census 50% of people in the town were able to speak Irish while only 4% spoke it on a daily basis outside the education system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erris</span> Barony in County Mayo, Ireland

Erris is a barony in northwestern County Mayo in Ireland consisting of over 230,452 acres (932.61 km2), much of which is mountainous blanket bog. It has extensive sea coasts along its west and north boundaries. The main towns are Belmullet and Bangor Erris. The name Erris derives from the Irish 'Iar Ros' meaning 'western promontory'. The full name is the Iorrais Domnann, after the Fir Bolg tribe, the Fir Domnann. To its north is the wild Atlantic Ocean and the bays of Broadhaven and Sruth Fada Conn and to its west is Blacksod Bay. Its main promontories are the Doohoma Peninsula, Mullet Peninsula, Erris Head, the Dún Chiortáin and Dún Chaocháin peninsulas and Benwee Head.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corrib gas project</span> Irish offshore natural gas field

The Corrib gas project is a developed natural gas deposit located in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 83 kilometres (52 mi) off the northwest coast of County Mayo, Ireland. The project includes a natural gas pipeline and an onshore gas processing plant, which commenced gas production in 2015. During its development, the project attracted considerable opposition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rossport Five</span>

The Rossport Five are Willie Corduff, brothers Philip and Vincent McGrath, Micheál Ó Seighin and James Brendan Philbin, from Kilcommon parish, Erris, County Mayo, Ireland. In 2005, they were jailed for civil contempt of court after refusing to obey a temporary court injunction forbidding them to interfere with work being undertaken by Shell on their land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rossport</span> Village in Connacht, Ireland

Rossport is a Gaeltacht village and townland in northwest County Mayo, Ireland. It is within the barony of Erris and parish of Kilcommon. It lies close to the mouth of Broadhaven Bay on the headland where the confluence of three rivers meet flowing into Sruth Fada Conn Bay. Its area is 1,446 acres (5.85 km2).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shell to Sea</span> Activist organisation in County Mayo, Ireland

Shell to Sea is an Irish organisation based in the parish of Kilcommon in Erris, County Mayo.

Willie Corduff is an Irish environmental activist from the farming community of Rossport, Kilcommon, Erris. Corduff's parents first arrived in Rossport in 1947, and reclaimed a farm by hand out of bogland. He became a campaigner against Royal Dutch Shell's activities in his local area when the Corrib gas controversy began. He is married to Mary and they have six children and four grandchildren.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is an independent statutory body in Ireland charged with overseeing the Garda Síochána, the national police force. It is a three-member body established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to deal with complaints from members of the public about the conduct of Gardaí.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corrib gas controversy</span> Protest campaign against an Irish gas project

The Corrib gas controversy was a social protest campaign against the Corrib gas project in north-western County Mayo, Ireland. The project involves the processing of gas onshore through Broadhaven and Sruth Fada Conn bays in Kilcommon. Originally spearheaded by local advocacy groups Shell to Sea and Pobal Chill Chomáin, the protests later grew to national prominence due to the heavy-handed approach taken by the Garda Síochána and private security firms towards the protestors. The project was jointly managed by Shell E&P Ireland and Statoil Exploration Limited, and supported by the Irish government.

Pobal Chill Chomáin is a pressure group based in the parish of Kilcommon in County Mayo, Ireland. It split from the larger Shell to Sea campaign in April 2008. Vincent McGrath, one of the Rossport Five, is its chairman.

Integrated Risk Management Services (I-RMS) is the trading name of Business Mobile Security Services Ltd, a private security company based in Naas, Ireland. It is a member of the Senaca Group. I-RMS are licensed by the Private Security Authority, the statutory body responsible for licensing and regulation of the private security industry in Ireland. It is also a member of the Transported Asset Protection Association. The firm's founding members, Terry Downes and Jim Farrell, have both previously served with the elite Irish Army Ranger Wing special forces unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kilcommon (County Mayo civil parish)</span> Parish in Connacht, Ireland

Kilcommon is a civil parish in Erris, north County Mayo, consisting of two large peninsulas; Dún Chaocháin and Dún Chiortáin. It consists of 37 townlands, some of which are so remote that they have no inhabitants. Habitation is concentrated mainly along both sides of Sruwaddacon Bay which flows into Broadhaven Bay, in villages including Glengad, Pollathomas, Rossport, Inver and Carrowteige, and in the Glenamoy area further inland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadhaven Bay</span> Bay in County Mayo, Ireland

Broadhaven Bay is a natural bay of the Atlantic Ocean on the northwestern coast of County Mayo, Ireland. The opening of the bay faces northward, stretching 8.6 km between Erris Head in the west and Kid Island/Oileán Mionnán in the east.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sruwaddacon Bay</span>

Sruwaddacon Bay is a tidal estuary which runs through the middle of the Gaeltacht Kilcommon parish in Erris, County Mayo, Ireland. It is of historical importance in Irish legend, an important marine habitat, an E.U. Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and an EU Special Protected Area. Its translated name in English, "Stream of the Long Hound", reflects its general shape. It enters the Atlantic Ocean through Broadhaven Bay, another Special Area of Conservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrowmore Lake</span> Lake in County Mayo, Ireland

Carrowmore Lake is situated in the parishes of Belmullet, Kiltane and Kilcommon Erris, County Mayo between the villages of Bangor Erris and Barnatra at the southern end of Broadhaven Bay. The freshwater lake is over 4 miles (6 km) long and almost 3 miles (5 km) wide at its widest point. Glencullen's two townlands line its eastern shore and Rathmorgan and the Knocknascollop mountains rise up along its western shores. Carrowmore is not a deep lake and it provides the drinking water for the whole of the Erris area. It is fed by the Carrowmore River and drains into the Owenmore River on its way to Blacksod Bay. The lake is designated as a S.P.A. in E.U. law and also as 000476 Complex S.A.C..

Johnny Carey is a former GAA All Star Gaelic footballer and Garda Superintendent from Bangor Erris, County Mayo, Ireland. He won 2 Connacht Senior Football Championships, in 1967 and 1969, with the Mayo county team and a National Football League medal in 1970. In 1971, he was named at right full back on the inaugural team at the GAA All Stars Awards. He was also manager of the senior Mayo football team between 1977 and 1980.

The civil parish of Kilcommon in Erris, northern County Mayo, Ireland has a total of 37 townlands: small geographic divisions of land in Ireland and Scotland's Outer Hebrides. Townlands originated in Gaelic Ireland, and predate the late-12th-century Anglo-Norman invasion. However, some townland names are derived from British plantations and Norman manors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rose Conway-Walsh</span> Irish politician (born 1964/1965)

Rose Conway-Walsh is an Irish Sinn Féin politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency since the 2020 general election. She previously served as a Leader of Sinn Féin in the Seanad and a Senator for the Agricultural Panel from 2016 to 2020.

Ryan O'Donoghue is a Gaelic footballer who plays at club level for Belmullet and at senior level for the Mayo county team.

References

  1. ↑ Sheehan, Maeve (21 September 2008). "A plea for calm on the unquiet sea: As a hunger strike over the Corrib gas row ends, there are calls for the Government to bring 'peace to Mayo'". Sunday Independent . Independent News & Media / Independent Newspapers Ireland Ltd / Independent Digital Ltd. Factiva FSII000020080921e49l0001p (2116315). Archived from the original on 21 September 2008.
  2. ↑ McConnell, Daniel (19 November 2006). "School principal criticised for protesting against Shell – National News, Frontpage". Sunday Independent. Dublin, Ireland: Independent News & Media / Independent Newspapers Ireland Ltd / Independent Digital Ltd. ISSN   0039-5218. Factiva FSII000020061119e2bj0001f (1727160); ProQuest   335515783. Archived from the original on 14 September 2008.
  3. ↑ McCarthy, Justine (2 November 2006). "Made in Mayo". Village. Archived from the original on 21 November 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  4. ↑ Siggins, Lorna (20 September 2008). "Shell to Sea protester ends 10-day hunger strike". The Irish Times . Irish Times Trust. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016.
  5. ↑ "Shell protester accused of 'lunge' towards President". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. 9 October 2008. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 McNulty, Anton (12 March 2009). "Shell to Sea campaigner jailed for 28 days for assault on garda". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. Archived from the original on 4 May 2024.
  7. ↑ The Irish Times , 16 June 2007.[ full citation needed ]
  8. ↑ "Shell to Sea campaigner jailed for assault". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. 11 March 2009. Archived from the original on 18 September 2021.
  9. ↑ Walsh, Jimmy (13 March 2009). "Norris questions judge's ruling in Shell to Sea case". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016.
  10. ↑ "Jail and psychiatric assessment for Shell to Sea activist: Harrington's actions were 'utterly and totally despicable': Flung mud at gardaí". Mayo Advertiser. 13 March 2009. Archived from the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  11. 1 2 Gillespie, Brian (12 March 2009). "Supporters applaud activist as she begins 28-day jail term". Irish Independent . Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012.
  12. ↑ "Shell to Sea campaigners protest at Department of Justice". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. 13 March 2009. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016.
  13. ↑ "Protester denies groin kick: Protester denies kicking security guard in groin". Mayo News. 14 April 2009. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  14. ↑ "Remember Saro-Wiwa: Justice for the Ogoni 9". Amnesty International UK. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  15. ↑ "Imprisoned Harrington missed London conference". Mayo Advertiser. Free Media Ireland. 10 April 2009. Archived from the original on 27 August 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2009.
  16. ↑ Siggins, Lorna (8 April 2009). "New effort on Corrib gas awaited after talks breakdown". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016.
  17. ↑ Bray, Allison (8 April 2009). "It's open season on us, says freed Shell protester". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012.
  18. ↑ PA (30 July 2009). "Two Shell protesters jailed". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016.
  19. ↑ "Judge likens Shell to Sea to 'secret police'". RTÉ News. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 11 February 2010. Archived from the original on 12 February 2010.
  20. ↑ Quinn, Trevor (16 December 2018) [updated 17 December 2018]. "Roscommon eviction footage shows security men removing people from property as homeowner claims he 'was dragged from house by the ears and assaulted'". Irish Mirror Online. Archived from the original on 2 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  21. ↑ Reynolds, Paul (16 December 2018). "Investigation into attack at repossessed farm in Roscommon [originally: Eight injured in attack at house in Co Roscommon]". RTÉ.ie. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Archived from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  22. ↑ Byrne, Luke (23 December 2018). "Take care that nobody gets killed, don't get caught' - fiery scenes as hundreds attend anti-eviction rally". Irish Independent. Mediahuis. Archived from the original on 23 December 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.