Campaign to free Rossport Five arrives in Minister Dempsey's home town
The campaign to Free the Rossport Five came to the home town of the
Minister
for the Marine And Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey last night.
Caitlín
Uí Sheighin, wife of jailed Rossport man Micháel Ó Sheighin spoke
of
her hope that her husband and the other prisoners would be released
soon.
Commenting on the couple’s situation, Mrs Uí Sheighin stated that "as
myself
and Michael are retired from teaching, we had expected that we would
be
enjoying life in a way you can't when you are both working fulltime and
raising
a family."
However, since the Corrib Gas Project began
their lives had been turned
"upside down, by a faceless multinational
company indifferent to Rossport's
safety fears, and by a government
determined to protect business interests
to the end."
Meath
Sinn Féin County Councillor, Joe Reilly stated that "the solution is
simple
but Minister Noel Dempsey is not making a resolution easy."
Continuing,
Councillor Reilly stated that "We choose Trim for this meeting
tonight
precisely as it is Minister Noel Dempsey's home town, and the point
must
be made clear that as Meath's representative at the cabinet table, he
is
expected to, and indeed must act on the concerns of his constituents."
According
to Coincillor Joe Reilly the plan to "pump raw, odourless gas
through
a residential area already prone to landslides is incredibly
reckless.
Minister Dempsey knows that the people of Meath are aghast at
this
proposal, and we call on him to stop prevaricating and to let these
men
return home to their families."
The meeting was adjourned
once a strategy for Meath was agreed to press for
the five men's early
release. According to Mrs Uí Sheighin she is delighted
"at the
support in Meath for us, as well as all of the groups and
individuals
across Ireland that have lended their help."
"In many
respects, many of us living in the affected area have felt
isolated
from public support in the past, but this is obviously changing.
All
I can say is that the people of Meath have been generous in their
support,
and I look forward to the forthcoming protest in Trim." ENDS