Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 98: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the conduct of gardaí involved in operations at Bellanaboy, County Mayo over the past four weeks and on reports of extreme heavy handedness in the treatment of peaceful protesters. [36311/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In order to carry out urgent environmental works, since September 2006, access for workers to a site at Bellanaboy, Co. Mayo, has been required to be facilitated by the Garda Síochána, in the face of protest action by some local campaigners, supported by groups and individuals from outside the area. These groups have at times sought to prevent the workers from travelling to the site in question which goes beyond a peaceful protest, on any view.

The situation at Bellanaboy has been tense at times, and strong emotions on the part of the demonstrators have clearly been in evidence. However, the Garda Síochána is duty-bound to uphold the rule of law without fear or favour, and they have been seeking to do so in a confrontational scenario not of their making.

I do not believe that the actions of the Garda Síochána at Bellanaboy could in any reasonable way be described as 'heavy handed'.