Jailed Shell to Sea protester described as a ‘bully’

Jailed Shell to Sea protester described as a ‘bully’

An Erris fisherman and prominent Shell to Sea activist was branded a ‘bully’ and a ‘thug’ before he was sentenced to seven months imprisonment at last week’s sitting of Castlebar Circuit Court.

Judge Raymond Groarke told Patrick O’Donnell (52) of Porturlin Shore, Ballina that he seemed to think he could do what he liked and get away with it after he was convicted of obstruction of a peace officer and threatening and abusive behaviour.

Mr O’Donnell, known locally as ‘The Chief’, received a three month sentence for threatening and abusive behaviour towards Sergeant Cathal O’Malley at Glengad on September 13, 2008 and four months for wilful obstruction of a peace officer on September 14, 2008 at Doolough, Geesala. Both sentences are to run consecutively.

Mr O’Donnell had been found guilty of the offences at Belmullet District Court but had appealed the conviction of the charge of threatening and abusive behaviour and the severity of the wilful obstruction conviction.

The obstruction charge occurred when Mr O’Donnell and a group of up to 40 protesters surrounded an unmarked garda car which was part of a Shell to Sea cavalcade and abused the four gardaí in the car. Three other men - Tony King (64) of Aughoose, Pullathomas, Martin McDonnell (46) of Bunalty, Glenamoy, and Kevin Moran (50) of Milltown, Glenamoy - also appeared before the Circuit Court appealing the severity of their convictions arising from the same event.

Garda SeΡn McHale told the court he was the driver of the unmarked car and were designated to follow a cavalcade which travelled around Erris in support of Maura Harrington who was on hungerstrike. He said there was about 86 vehicles in the cavalcade and Mr O’Donnell was leading it.

He said they rejoined the middle of the cavalcade at Doolough but it came to a stop and Mr O’Donnell got out of his vehicle and walked towards their car. He said he was joined by a large crowd of people who surrounded the vehicle and were abusive to them. He said he had to lock the doors and they had to call for back-up.

The court heard that neither Mr King nor Mr Moran had previous convictions but Mr O’Donnell had received a six month suspended sentence for the obstruction of a peace officer in February, 2009 and Mr McDonnell had received a one month suspended sentence for trespass.

Mr Leo Mulrooney, counsel for the accused said the protesters took umbrage to the gardaí joining the cavalcade and the individual actions contributed to unfortunate events which they regret.

Judge Groarke described the incident as ‘thuggish behaviour’.

“This was done in the most cowardly fashion and there is no doubt the gardaí were severely intimidated as they sat in the car. You did what you did because you wanted to prove, ‘we are the big boys’,” he said.

Mr McDonnell received a four month suspended sentence and fined €500 while both Mr King and Mr Moran were fined €500 each.

Mr O’Donnell had earlier failed to get a conviction for threatening and abusive behaviour overturned when he was accused of abusing Sgt O’Malley when he was on duty in Glengad. Sgt O’Malley said he saw Mr O’Donnell’s vehicle driving fast and signalled him to slow down but he parked up and ‘strolled’ in his direction.

Sgt O’Malley claimed O’Donnell asked him, ‘Where’s your speed camera ya prick’ and said he was nearly nose to nose with him. He said he felt threatened and intimidated and felt relieved when Sgt SeΡn Cunnane stepped in between them. When he said he would see him in court he said O’Donnell replied, ‘I don’t give a f**k about court. I’m used to Mary Devins’.

Mr O’Donnell denied the charge and denied getting close to Sgt O’Malley or approaching him in an aggressive manner. However, Judge Groarke disagreed and convicted Mr O’Donnell of the offence.