A Letter to Local Press in NW Ireland…the future of a permaculture smallholding…

Today marks the beginning of what will be a long struggle…one which will take much energy and forebearance. All I know is that good people all over the globe must speak up and out for what is right. The rest is our future…

I am blogging this letter I wrote today to the local press, as it concerns Bealtaine Cottage Permaculture Smallholding. What is coming down the line will decide the future of the biodiversity, animals, insects, birds and plants here at Bealtaine…

Dear Editor,
I live in a very beautiful part of Ireland…near the village of Keadue and the extraordinarily majestic and beautiful mountains and lakes that make up the breath-taking landscape of the area, known as “The Lough Allen Basin.” But…all that is about to change and change for the worst, I greatly fear!
The North West Carboniferous Basin, or The Lough Allen Basin is about to be opened up by two companies for the exploitation of Gas deposits. Our government has already issued the licences! Our county councils have little say in these matters! We are told that, “Regulators,” are in place to protect us…! Well, Regulators were also in place to protect us from the Economic treason which led to our loss of sovereignty! They are little more than overpaid civil servants who do not serve Ireland!
In all probability, these companies will use a technique known as “Hydraulic Fracturing,” or “Fracking.
Fracking in simple terms, is causing a mini earthquake, by injecting a cocktail of chemicals into a wellbore. This cocktail consists of over 596 chemicals. Billions of gallons of water are used in the process. Contamination of aquifers can only be expected!
Of course this can only increase profits for corporations, for after all, when your water is poisoned by the Corporations, you then BUY water from the …CORPORATIONS!
However, back to gas…
Gas?
120 BILLION DOLLARS worth of it!
And the dreaded technology that is still in its awful infancy…FRACKING!
Banned in France. Recently banned in New York State.
No understood outcomes, as Fracking is still in its awful infancy…so new…since 2002!
So we wait for the accumulation of information and that may be too late for Ireland and its’ pure water supply, so admired and envied throughout the world. Our Agriculture and produce is held in high esteem internationally because of our green and pleasant land!
…What have we unleashed from Pandora’s Box?

I know that I will protest, because I have to defend what is right.
I also know that I will end up in Court, because the Corporation will hold sway.
I am prepared for prison, because I will not bend my knee to decisions I feel and know to be wrong.

Yours Sincerely
Frances Colette O’Neill
Bealtaine Cottage
Ballyfermoyle,
Keadue,
Boyle.

4 comments

  1. Reblogged this on Hawthorn Rising and commented:
    Fracking (Hydraulic Fracturing) has huge implications for the quality of the environment. Here’s one persons horror at what is happening in her area in Ireland…

  2. Hi Colette,
    I’d never heard of “fracking” until now. It sounds awful Have you contacted Luke Flanagan T.D.?
    I don’t usually believe in politicians, but Iike what he says and does.
    http://www.lukemingflanagan.ie/policies/
    Just a thought,
    Marian
    ************************************************************
    Ming the Merciless is up to speed as far as I know and like yourself, I too approve of him! If you are on the net, here is a link you may be interested in watching…RTE’s recent report on fracking the Lough Allen/Shannon Basin pt1 http://bit.ly/layCq8 pt2 http://bit.ly/lGg4wf
    This is serious stuff and will affect everyone in Ireland!
    Best Wishes, Colette

    • Thanks for taking up this cause. We will share the info and send what support your way we can. I was just speaking to some wwoofers this morning about the balance between standing up to the bullies – giving them some of your energy as a result and working hard to create a viable alternative to their world like permaculture does which will end up catching them and their victims as they fall. I cited things like GMO and Corrib as times we still have to put up the hand that say NO!!

      So you have felt that call- may the wonderful nature place that you have created at the cottage (that I only know through your blog) sustain and nurture you as you answer that call.
      warm wishes and positive visions.
      Suzie
      http://www.dulra.org

      **************************************************************************************
      Thank you so much Suzie for your good energy wishes…a powerful force, many thanks!
      The endgame with me is that I would rather be in prison than sitting here while the destruction is invoked. I simply cannot bear the thought of what the Merchants of Greed are being given licence to do!
      Blessings and Best Wishes,
      Colette

Your comments are welcome!