Lord Mayor of Dublin and
Admiral of the Port
A show of strength
1 September 2002
How many will show? The press has been invited, celebrities are committed, politicians (including the Lord Mayor of Dublin) are scheduled - but how many actual boats will we have today?
In all, forty-three boats, including both supporters and members (who will sail to meet the shipment) of the flotilla. With the Warrior (here in support) making the total forty-four, it was a strong showing, and after listening to today's speakers I know the flotilla members are more ready then ever to challenge British Nuclear Fuel's use of the Irish sea.
The commodore of the club, John Weddick, introduced everyone, starting with the mayor, followed by Nuala Ahern, Green Party member of the European Parliament. Eamon Gilmore, a TD (member of the Irish Parliament) with Labour also spoke. Their presence, plus the other politicians in attendance, signifies political support for strong action against use of the Irish Sea by the nuclear industry.
Jim Corr, from The Corrs, spoke about his hometown, Dundalk, Ireland, which is not far from Sellafield as the crow flies - and how the people of Dundalk have suffered from that unfortunate geographic distinction. Another musician in attendance was Cora Venus Lunny, a classical violinist who played before and during the event.
Jim Corr talking with
Cora Venus Lunny Tim Deere Jones, a marine pollution consultant with 18 years of experience, discussed safety problems concerning the nuclear transport ships, which he described later as, "outmoded and substandard".
Then Janine Allis Smith, spoke and you could see a look of grim determination on the faces of skippers, crew, politicians and artists. Janine lives in Cumbria, UK, near the Sellafield complex. In that area the incidence of childhood leukaemia is ten times the national average. In fact, she lost her son to the cancer.
Janine told a story about how, in 1989, the newly refitted Rainbow Warrior II visited London for the first time, and she was invited to bring young leukaemia patients down to the ship for a party. The children apparently had a great time ridding in the boats, touring the ship and disco dancing with the crew.
Heading out For this tour, John (who organized the first visit) suggested, "Why not invite those same kids back to the ship?" At first, this sounded like a great idea. Until, trying to remember exactly who she had brought to the Warrior in 1989, Janine found herself staring at a group photo from the party, and realized that of all of those children, not one leukaemia victim is left alive. The last one committed suicide in June - finally giving up hope after years of fighting the disease.
Neil McCann read a long list of individuals and associations supporting the flotilla. The event was wrapped up with statements from two of the skippers, Paul Barrett and Derek Harris - who performed an ecumenical blessing of the flotilla.
Then everyone piled onto boats and we headed out to sea, on a clear bright day, for the trial run of something that suddenly seemed even more essential then we had thought a few hours before.
-- Andrew
Listen to Cora Venus Lunny playing at the event. Although well known in Ireland and elsewhere, she has no albums available on the market - so enjoy this rare recording of her. I promise to post more in the future.
