Phoney bomb plot at Shell?

by Kevin Murphy - 32 csm Thu Sep 18, 2008 22:21

In 1996 a number of families from a small rural community in Ardara county Donegal had the temerity to protest against a locally unpopular telecommunications mast adjoining their property . This drew the ire of the garda special branch for some reason . Not long afterwards a supposed viable bomb was planted on the telecommunications mast which unsurprisingly did not explode as it was not a viable bomb , just something made up to resemble one for publicity purposes ,although that did not stop the gardai and the media from repeatedly describing it as such ..

The next day 3 local farmers , Hugh Diver , Anthony Diver and Bernard Shevlin were arrested in a blaze of publicity , denounced in the media as subversives , harased , threatened with all sorts in garda custody to try and force them to sign admissions . And on their release were further harassed along with the rest of the protest group who were all harrassed , threatned and questioned and all the rest during the media circus .

It later transpired though that the device was not viable at all , and indeed had been constructed and planted by garda special branch themselves . Who were also themselves making and finding all sorts of bombs and viable mortar parts ( metal christmas tree holders actually) across donegal and even in tyrone . But the protest was driven into the ground thanks to a garda bomb and a compliant media all too ready to repeat their lies and spin verbatim and blacken and demonise peaceful protestors.

Shell to sea have absolutely no record of planting bombs , fake or real , viable or unviable . Just like the Divers and the Shevlins had no such record . Those seeking to drive the anti Shell campaign into the ground , garda special branch , most definitely do have such a track record . Therefore should be considered prime suspects in my opinion . This stinks to high heavens of their handiwork .

by skeptic Wed Sep 17, 2008 17:33

Irish Tiems today:
"A senior Garda source said the device comprised a drinks bottle filled with petrol which was attached to a battery and a clock. It was also attached to a can of paint, which would have sprayed out had the device exploded.

But sources said that while all components for a viable device were present, the ensemble was not wired properly and, therefore, could not have exploded."

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0917/1....html

So no explosives then.

by dhk - scs Wed Sep 17, 2008 16:11

Shell facility attacked in Nigeria!

by LK Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:15

As some one else pointed out, the previous scare stories are also aimed at the rank and file Gardai.
I happened to have an official encounter with a Garda last night.
Nothing serious, I was stuck in a long line of traffic, and was in a hurry to meet the wife, so I turned back to go a different way. Turns out it was a Garda checkpoint up ahead, and some sharpeyed Garda saw my car turn around about 30-40 cars from the front. He got suspicious and gave chase!
When I saw the flashing lights I pulled in to let him pass, unaware he was chasing me. (I had assumed the traffic jam was due to an accident or something)
Once he'd checked that the tax, etc was in order and asked for my License, he mentioned the Shell to Sea bumper sticker and asked "what was that in Dublin last night? Was that a real device or what?"

I told him that I very much doubted that it was anything but a hoax, and that Shell to Sea are not violent people, much as Shell would like to blacken their name.

With that, we parted cordially, and I managed to be on time to pick up the wife. But it did get me thinking. These guys are trained to be suspicious of people, but unquestioning of official statements, so when the officials / media are lying, then it does get the cops thinking the wrong thing about us as well.

We can tell from the police reaction that there was no bomb otherwise,
(a)we would have the juicy details from Paul Williams,
and
(b)the people who were at the demo the day before the 'device' was found would all have been interviewed by the Branch. and as someone else pointed out
(c) Shell HQ would be under armed guard

so yeah, the whiff of shite, is pretty strong from this one.

by Observant neighbour Wed Sep 17, 2008 09:52

Corrib House last 24 hours does not have the appearance of being under threat
No extra security
simple to access...
If a bomb had been found outside surly things would be different?

by IshtarCelt Wed Sep 17, 2008 00:16

'viable exploding device'.......those little red caps you get with pound shop toy guns do explode....
no seriously, it's mis-direction again. there have been pipe bombs etc found all over dublin for the past few years...
how can those RTE and Sindo hacks sleep at night???
Knowing a woman is starving herself, in ancient Brehon tradition, knowing that this country needs those energy resources...knowing people have been paralysed, have injured health, have been traumatised...

Many thanks and my humble gratitude to Maura and all the other brave people
incidentally, I got pulled in Gort on saturday night by police, held up for over a half an hour and breathalised (clean) when I was trying to reverse out of a parking spot. what attracted the Garda's interest? I have a Shell to Sea bumper sticker, and a Solitaire not wanted poster in my car window....

it's nothing compared to what some people have suffered, only a minor matter, but it shows how wide the web of silencing spreads
The censorship in this country is ridiculous, sometimes the pap we are fed is laughingly cliche-ed and hackneyed, I don't think people actually believe it, just that most people don't think there is anything they can do, or are switched off from the horror

by Simon Tue Sep 16, 2008 19:42

"We remain open and willing to talk to any individuals or groups who continue to have concerns about our project.' "

Therein lies the problem, talking's all very well, but you need to be willing to listen.

by shell to sea Tue Sep 16, 2008 19:09

press release fom Shell to Sea
Shell to Sea from its inception has always practised peaceful protest and non-violent direct action.

The planting of the device at Shell's Headquarters in Dublin serves to divert attention from Maura Harrington's hunger strike, which is now into its second week. Her demand is that Shell's pipe-laying ship the Solitaire leaves Irish territorial waters.
We encourage all people who support Maura Harrington and Shell to Sea to mobilise in solidarity with her and attend the many events taking place today and in the days to come at locations around Ireland and abroad.

by FSB! (pers cap) - Rossport Solidarity Camp - Shell to Sea Tue Sep 16, 2008 18:39

Well, I've never had any invite from them violent thieving bastards to talk over things!

Shell's PR statement rings more than a bit hollow, I'm afraid.

by barra Tue Sep 16, 2008 17:47

Examples of PR in RTE news

Presenter – “Shell Ireland the company behind……” = A Multinational Corporation plundering Ireland’s community, environment, and resources with the consent of neo- liberal elite in Ireland and us.

Presenter – “A sinister development… (bomb) not in relation to the Corrib Gas Project but the connotations would lead you to believe S2S’s campaign has turned violent.

Presenter – “Shells serious concerned about the treats posed to its staff and the general public….” Again not the sinister Corrib development but Shell to Sea ?

Presenter – “A Viable explosive devise…” Very unspecific !

Presenter - “ Work being carried out has all the necessary consent the permissions.. – While showing footage of Shell carrying out illegal work.

Persenter – “Time for calm assessment” – while show footage of John Monaghan treating private security.

by belmullet mom Tue Sep 16, 2008 16:48

I recall that when shell was removing the machinery for illegal work carried out at Glengad beach a few months ago coincidently a fire took place of timbers beside the bellanboy compound and wey hey suprise suprise the fire made the 9 oclock news and no mention of the illegal work by Shell. It was a great way to blame Shell 2 Sea in spite of it being a neighbour who is also S2S who had to ring the fire brigade.
I'm not a betting person but this so called bomb is kinda useful way to buy so called sympathy while Maura is on her hunger strike and take what little independent media coverage there is from her. SHELL wake up Erris and Mayo people are not stupid. You will never profit from your corruption or neither will those who work for you.

by soundmigration - S2S supporter Tue Sep 16, 2008 15:39

Given the spurious nature of this story, Shell to Sea have been reluctant to give it the oxygen of publicity. this makes complete sense. I first noticed it on a newswire about 12pm last eve, as a story run by the Irish Times. My first impressions are similar to those posted above

i would however see this not just as an attempt to skew public perception and involvement in the campaign. It also opens up the possibilty of a much more explicit political policing. I've spoke to more than one S2S activist who are wondering when the branch are gonna start turning up at their doors, instead of just folowing them around, pretending to be journalists, and taking photos. They where equally adamant that such intimidation would not lessen the resolve and direct actions

heres the press release Dublin Shell to Sea released earlier today
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shell to Sea not linked to alleged bomb find and campaigners reject claims by Joyce.

Today Shell to Sea campaigners across the country distanced themselves from the placing of an alledged explosive device outside Shell HQ last night

"Shell to Sea has been committed peaceful rigorous public protest from the start of our campaign," commented spokesperson Paul Murphy. We reject completely the unfounded insinuation by Shell's communication advisor, Colin Joyce, that this device was made and placed by Shell to Sea supporters. This blatantly looks like an attempt to derail the campaign. Such statements from Joyce sits entirely well the continuing lack of concern for the truth about the devastating effect an explosion from the proposed pipeline would have along its currently planned route".

"We would ask our supporters and the public to consider who has the most to benefit from actions such as those last night. Such actions are a distraction from the growing public pressure on Shell itself and can only be designed to cause disruption to the campaign as a whole." said Murphy.

He concludes "We also make it clear that any de-escalation of current tensions lie in the court of Shell. As Maura Harrington enters her 8th day of hunger strike we call again for Shell to ensure that the Solitaire immediately and unequivocally announces its intent to leave Irish water.

-------

by Dublin Sheel to Sea - Ds2s Tue Sep 16, 2008 14:52

Shell to Sea press release
16th sept 08
For immediate release

Shell to Sea not linked to alleged bomb find

Shell to Sea campaigners Reject Claims by Joyce.

Today Shell to Sea campaigners across the country distanced themselves from the placing of an alledged explosive device outside Shell HQ last night

"Shell to Sea has been committed peaceful rigorous public protest from the start of our campaign," commented spokesperson Paul Murphy. We reject completely the unfounded insinuation by Shell's communication advisor, Colin Joyce, that this device was made and placed by Shell to Sea supporters. This blatantly looks like an attempt to derail the campaign. Such statements from Joyce sits entirely well with the continuing lack of concern for the truth about the devastating effect an explosion from the proposed pipeline would have along its currently planned route".

"We would ask our supporters and the public to consider who has the most to benefit from actions such as those last night. Such actions are a distraction from the growing public pressure on Shell itself and can only be designed to cause disruption to the campaign as a whole." said Murphy.

He concludes "We also make it clear that any de-escalation of current tensions lie in the court of Shell. As Maura Harrington enters her 8th day of hunger strike we call again for Shell to ensure that the Solitaire immediately and unequivocally announces its intent to leave Irish water.

Statement ends

by * Tue Sep 16, 2008 14:35

They were quick to mention that there was a protest yesterday at Shell HQ.
They didn't mention that the Gardai were in attendance. If anyone from that demo left ANYTHING behind them, the cops would have been all over it like a shot.
Anybody know if there is CCTV is the area either from Shell's own CCTV or Garda streetcams?

by no more dirty tricks Tue Sep 16, 2008 14:28

I cannot believe what I am reading here, this was a home made bomb placed at the doorstep of an international company doing business in our capital city by some idiot.

On the doorstep? Where's the source for that? Earlier RTE said it was simply near to Shell's HQ. I've yet to hear a specific report of where this thing was actually found.

Hoax? are you people for real where do you think we are?

Yes, I am for real. I think we're in the real world in Ireland. And in the real world putting in a hoax does occasionaly happen for political and career purposes.

And also, in Dublin, bombs have been stashed or planted for gangland feuds, so what makes this one automatically a protestor?
Again, the fact that other bombs have been discovered in Dublin recently makes it important that we know exactly where this one was before we jump to conclusions. Was it stashed for later use somewhere else, or was it on that street because that's where it was to be used.
We don't know that yet

Who ever did this is a PIG.
That's for sure.

How dare you pretend that planting a bomb is a legitmate expression of protest.

Where did anyone pretend it was a legitimate expression of protests? Again, you are buying into the line that this was done by a protestor.
I don't believe it was. Shell to Sea protestors use peaceful tactics, risk their own limbs not others, and take safety precautions.
Wanting to plant a bomb where it would injure people, is the work of a nutter, or a clever manipulator who set it up for PR purposes.

We've had enough of your kind throughout our history and you bring noting but shame to this nation and to its people.
We sure have had enough of bombers, but we've also had enough of dirty tricks as well.

by MacE Tue Sep 16, 2008 14:21

Unless your ideals include Shell creaming the profits from the Mayo gas as quickly as possible, I don't believe the person who "planted" the bomb shares them. The IRA card worked well before when Shell's back was to the wall, it's natural they would try it again when the going got rough. This isn't a particularly intelligent example. Far from being "a legitmate expression of protest", it's a very illegitimate method for the suppression of protest. It turns otherwise sympathetic people off supporting Shell to Sea, and allows ranking Gardaí to more easily rev up the less bright of the rank-and-file. I guarantee you that a good few of the young thugs who battered their way through women and old men down at Bellanaboy in '06 genuinely believed they were helping to crush a sinister Provo plot. This is how it's done.

by viewer Tue Sep 16, 2008 14:10

What RTE have broadcast (what I've heard and read on rte.ie/news) is very unbalanced.

They said first a "device" was found near Shell HQ in Dublin.
Given that it wasn't the only 'device' found this week in Dublin, one would be jumping to conclusions thinking it was linked to Shell, without stating how close it was. This still hasn't been cleared up.
They of course should mention the device being made safe etc.

But then they give the rest of the article over to a Shell spokesperson who starts banging on about the permissions they have for the pipeline.
Here RTE is allowing Shell to suggest a motive, and suggest culprits for this. It's not as if someone left a note, or made a coded call.

And does RTE try to balance this with any comment from any Shell to Sea people such as " we don't hurt people, we do peaceful protest, aren't we the people who stand outside the office, at more risk from any such device than Shell staff inside a stone walled building?"

Shell would love to dirty the name of Shell to Sea, and I reckon that if Shell didn't plant a hoax device outside their own offices, then they are just ploughing straight in anyway on what could be linked to gangland feuds for all we know. Was the other bomb found by Gerry Ryan listerner related to Shell? Unlikely. could the two bombs be related? There's a very good chance of that in fact, but you wouldn't know it from RTE'c coverage.

From the reactions I'm getting from people, very few people believe that Shell to Sea would switch from peaceulf protest with banners and the occasional roof occupation to building and planting bombs.

by K Tue Sep 16, 2008 13:30

Or as Maura says" you could trust Shell as far as I could throw the Solitaire",

Shell Ireland at Corrib house will not comment and are forwarding all calls to London HQ,who wont comment...

More likely the devise was a discarded Pringle package....

Spoke to someone at Allstars this morning ,said Solitaire would not necessarily have to return to Holland for repairs.

by shelly - ogra shinnféin Tue Sep 16, 2008 13:27

Most likely a garda tout in a gang who owe's them a little more favour's for his weekly wage

by SaorEire Tue Sep 16, 2008 13:23

I cannot believe what I am reading here, this was a home made bomb placed at the doorstep of an international company doing business in our capital city by some idiot.
Hoax? are you people for real where do you think we are?

I just want to add my voice of disgust to this site about the horrible actions of this person; You do not represent me or any my ideals.
Who ever did this is a PIG.
How dare you pretend that planting a bomb is a legitmate expression of protest. We've had enough of your kind throughout our history and you bring noting but shame to this nation and to its people.

Shame on You.

by Madam k Tue Sep 16, 2008 13:13

"We remain open and willing to talk to any individuals or groups who continue to have concerns about our project.' "

Been on phone all morning.

You cant talk to anyone here in Ireland, all calls are being directed to London Shell Hq 0044 207 934 3045 who are on answere machine .

No ones willing to engage.

by GerryRyanShowListener Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:30

And wasn't there a device in a car in Hardwicke St as well?
Couldn't it be just gangland stuff, and Shell are using it as PR.

I wouldn't trust Shell as far as I'd throw them.

by none Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:03

DETECTIVES have blamed 'Fat' Freddie Thompson himself for a series of bomb hoaxes in the capital in recent days.

Officers believe members of Freddie's gang phoned in the hoaxes in an attempt to provide the gangster with security.
http://www.herald.ie/national-news/city-news/fat-freddi....html

by Sevinch Karaca - WSM-Personal Capacity Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:02

This is a bit old fashion, you are capable of better plots. You are telling public that with all your intelligence, possible wire tapping and full data of all activists you did not sniff anything. There is one possiblity, phoney, phoney, phoney. Give us a look at the evidence, give us a look at the "viable" explosive, what is it made of? Fire crackers and bubles? You are afraid of your shadow now, flattering to say the least. Violance is your means not the means of this campaign, threat to human life is your means you use globally. What is next?

by linker Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:54

.

by sherlock Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:46

Wasn't there a bomb found under Paul Williams's car a while ago? On the very day his book came out... anyone ever got for that ?

Or what about the bomb factory in Dublin found when the EU leaders were here?

by EC - S2S Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:38

from todays irish time
Shell Ireland has says it is seriously concerned by the threat posed to its staff and the general public after a 'viable' explosive device was found at its Dublin office.

Shell Ireland has says it is seriously concerned by the threat posed to its staff and the general public after a 'viable' explosive device was found at its Dublin office.

The device, found last night outside the company's headquarters at Corrib House on Lower Leeson Street, was made safe by army bomb disposal experts.

It was found at around 10pm and has been described by gardaí as 'viable'.
Advertisement

Gardaí removed a number of items from the scene and have begun an investigation.

A Shell E&P Ireland spokesman described the incident as a 'sinister development'.

'The work currently being undertaken on the Corrib project has all the necessary consents and permissions required by the various statutory bodies which oversee the project', the spokesman says in a statement.

'We remain open and willing to talk to any individuals or groups who continue to have concerns about our project.'

by Printer Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:06

The second column of the Irish Times has it as 'A bomb was made safe outside Shell HQ'

Geraldine does like to give prominence to the vested interests.
It means that it went to print in the wee small hours and got front page!

by open eyes Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:59

is the line they've tried to push again and again.
Most recently the Examiner had an op-ed about it, smearing the campaign as being without popular support and using intimidation to bully their way.
This is the type of image Shell wants to put on the group, so if they did set up a hoax, it would fit those purposes perfectly.
Considering that Shell staff spend very little time outside their office, compared to say, Shell to Sea protestors on the foothpath, who exactly would this 'bomb' have injured anyway?

The whole story stinks of dirty tricks.
Just heard John Monaghan on Pat Kenny show. Did a good job.

by zippo Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:46

remember they used to say Noel Dempsey was receiving death threats?

"GARDAI have launched an investigation into death threat phone calls to the office of Marine and Natural Resources Minister Noel Dempsey." http://www.independent.ie/national-news/death-threats-t....html

I wonder if the guards ares still investigating the threats, because no one was ever arrested, and Dempsey is still alive.

claimed people wanted him dead- no follow up