Balance in Corrib Coverage

In a poor English speech, one might start with "The Oxford dictionary defines 'courage' as..."
To see it in written work is even poorer, although it can be saved by an excellent follow-on paragraph.
This did not, however, occur in a very poorly written piece by Fr Kevin Hegarty in The Mayo News this week. On the contrary, Fr Hegarty went on to add more of his usual vitriol to his vendetta against the Shell To Sea campaign.
Fr Hegarty likes to show the many locals opposed to the project as a minority of poor simpletons and peasant folk, suspicious of the activities of the benevolent MNC bringing employment to the area and asking for nothing in return.
Those from outside the area are referred to as violent protesters, ready to jump on any cause to further their own agenda.

Fr Hegarty cites three people who argued against Shell in the last week and one who argued on their behalf.
Liamy McNally of the Mayo News, Joe Murray of AFRI & James Laffey (editor) of the Western People were castigated by the right honourable Father as being one-sided and using emotive language to appeal to the 'little folk.'

Fr Hegarty was fortunate to be able to back up his points by relying on the counter arguments of one Joe Duffy, he of Liveline fame. Joe Duffy's argument? That protesters seemed to revel in the misfortune of the lorry driver.
Basically, Joe Duffy has simplified the matter so much that the public is to believe that Shell To Sea's only issue with the Corrib project is the movement of trucks.
This is further evidence of the impoverished writing of Fr Hegarty in this 'article'. He has avoided, at all costs, actually discussing the issues of the project, merely repeating the usual Shell PR spin of this project going through all the necessary planning procedures, having all necessary permission, etc. This is something that people in the parish of Kilcomon can see by reading through Shell's 'community update' leaflets.These are nice, shiny things with big glossy headlines, that even locals can read.

Fr Hegarty states in his article that "The reality is that the project has undergone the most protracted and forensic examination by the planning authorities in the 90 year history of the Irish State."

Now compare this with an interview from Mark Carrigy, operations manager onsite in Mayo in 2005.
"The reality of the situation was that the Corrib project went through one of the most exhaustive and rigorous regulatory process (sic) in the history of the State." (link below)

2005 - Shell responds

I suppose Fr Hegarty managed to change a few words in this oft-used phrase by the Corrib gas apologists but if this were an academic essay, he may well have failed for plagiarism alone, never mind his factual inaccuracies.

The second half of his pulpit preach involve a list of the wonderful benefits that the Corrib project have brought to Mayo - the 1400 short term jobs rapidly disappearing, indirect employment and a wonderful scheme where local students get paid 4000 a year as a bursary to attend college. Fr Hegarty does have the good grace to admit that he is on the board of the committee that decides who gets these scholarships but to call it independent is a stunning mistruth. The board is comprised of Corrib apologists (like himself) and representatives from Shell and Mayo county council. Those who apply for the scholarships are from families who are for the project. Independent? Never let the truth get in the way of a good story, eh Father?

Fr Hegarty has at all times througout this debacle proven himself to be a vicious proponent of a project without community support. From his ivory tower 20km away, Fr Hegarty has sniped at those opposed to the project both within and outside the community.

I do agree with Fr Hegarty on one thing - The coverage should be more balanced on this topic. Maybe he could write a letter to the Irish Independent and RTE to balance their coverage and not have it so lopsided towards those, like himself, with a pro-Shell agenda. For that, I would be sincerely grateful Father.