JOHN DONOVAN JULY 14, 2014 ARTICLE

All guns blazing from company that alleged Shell Corruption of Irish Police

Jul 14th, 2014

by John Donovan. 

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“Let us clearly state Officers Gilligan, Gill Butler and Grimes offloaded alcohol exactly as described by OSSL, and as clearly understood by Michael Crothers CEO of Shell when he offered to pay for it in The Burlington Hotel in Dublin in the presence of legal people for both Shell /OSSL.”

By John Donovan

If you make a serious accusation against a pubic servant and that individual is subsequently cleared by an official investigation, it becomes an even more serious libel if the same unfounded accusation is repeated.

This upping of the defamation stakes is multiplied in the case of Irish police officers accused by OSSL of handling alcohol purchased by OSSL on behalf of Shell, as they have been effectively cleared of the allegations in FIVE separate investigations. Two by the Garda, two by Shell and the most recent by the Garda Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).

Despite this history, OSSL has today repeated and circulated the same allegations, naming specific Irish police officers as being involved in the corruption scandal surrounding the policing of the controversial Corrib Gas Project in Ireland. 

Extract from an OSSL email circulated today:

Let us clearly state Officers Gilligan, Gill Butler and Grimes offloaded alcohol exactly as described by OSSL, and as clearly understood by Michael Crothers CEO of Shell when he offered to pay for it in The Burlington Hotel in Dublin in the presence of legal people for both Shell /OSSL. 

The senior investigator of the GSOC, Johan Gronewald, has said that the matter is now closed and refuses to disclose the content of the completed report on the basis that it is a privileged document. I would have thought that in the public interest and for the sake of transparency, the report should be made public in its entirety, bearing in mind the astonishing claim that there was no evidence, when evidence was provided, including an invoice from OSSL to Shell for a large consignment of alcohol.

If the invoice is fake, and there was no alcohol, then surely charges should be brought against OSSL for creating a fake invoice and demanding money from Shell based on a fake invoice for goods that never existed? 

Many people in Ireland are likely to be puzzled if the named police officers allow this situation to continue by failing to issue defamation proceedings against OSSL, and against me, for continuing to publicise the allegations. 

Would you not defend your name if falsely accused of being involved in corruption?

Why is it that these Irish police officers are prepared to meekly accept being libelled, rather than give evidence under oath in the witness box and being subjected to cross-examination?

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Posted in: Bribery, Business Principles, Corrib Gas Project, Corruption, Environment,Garda, Gas, GoogleNews, Human Rights, Ireland, Johan Groenewald OSOC, Royal Dutch Shell Plc.
Tagged: Corrib Gas Project · Corruption · Gas · Litigation · Royal Dutch Shell Plc

The TRUTH will set you FREE.

20 Amazing Hotels You Need to Visit

20 Amazing Hotels You Need to Visit Before You Die

Take a look at some of the most amazing hotels in the world.

Not everyone can afford holiday in one of these locations, however most of us would love to spend quality time with family or friends in these places. You might want to stay in the room underwater or perhaps enjoy your breakfast from the cave facing the sea. 

Credits: Bored Panda

Everyone will find something interesting.

1. Äscher Cliff, Switzerland

2. Hotel Kakslauttanen, Finland

3. Ladera Resort, St. Lucia

4. The Manta Resort, Zanzibar

5. Rayavadee Krabi, Thailand

6. Shangri La, Paris

7. Hotel Ristorante Grotta Palazzese Polignano a Mare, Italy

8. Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island

9. Panchoran Retreat, Bali

10. Hotel Ubud Hanging Gardens, Indonesia

11. Attrap Reves Hotel, France

12. Katikies Hotel-Oia, Greece

13. Hotel Le Sirenuse, Amalfi Coast, Italy

14. Ice Hotel in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden

15. The Cambrian Hotel, Adelboden, Switzerland

16. Homestead Resort and Spa, Utah, USA

17. Villa Escudero, Philippines

18. Hotel-Restaurant Öschinensee, Switzerland

19. Astarte Suits Hotel, Greece

20. Montana Magica Lodge, Chile

3.6K Flares Twitter

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JOHN DONOVAN JULY 12, 2014 ARTICLE

Buy Royal Dutch Shell on a pullback, says Jim Cramer

Jul 12th, 2014 

by John Donovan. 

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Extracts from a CNBC article by Drew Sandholm published 11 July 2014

It seems a major turnaround is unfolding at Royal Dutch Shell, making its stock very attractive should it fall from current levels, CNBC’s Jim Cramer said Friday. “The CEO has basically said, ‘Look, we’ll do whatever’s necessary to make money here.’ And there’s a lot of fat in a company like Royal Dutch,” Cramer said. “They’ve got a lot of great assets. They can do a lot of things.” Bullish sentiment toward Shell is mounting on Wall Street, too. The oil giant recently caught upgrades from both Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan Chase.

FULL ARTICLE

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Posted in: Oil, Oil Company Profits, Royal Dutch Shell Plc.
Tagged: Oil · Royal Dutch Shell Plc

The TRUTH will set you FREE.

JOHN DONOVAN JULY 11, 2014 ARTICLES

Top criminologist calls for inquiry into Corrib policing

Jul 11th, 2014 

by John Donovan. 

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Extract from a Lorna Siggins article published by the Irish Times Friday 11 July 2014

The Queen’s University Belfast academic who exposed the South Yorkshire police handling of the 1989 Hillsborough football stadium disaster has supported calls for a full review of the policing of the Corrib gas project in north Mayo.

Criminologist Prof Phil Scraton says international concern about Garda handling of opposition to the gas project reflects a belief that it has “moved beyond a series of specific incidents to something of much greater institutional consequence”.

He considers that the policing of the gas project from late 2006 merits a non-statutory review of all available documentation, which could be a prelude to a full statutory inquiry.

FULL ARTICLE

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Posted in: Bribery, Corrib Gas Project, Corruption, Environment, Garda, Gas, Ireland,Irish Times, OSSL, Royal Dutch Shell Plc.
Tagged: Corrib Gas Project · Gas · Ireland · Royal Dutch Shell Plc

Irish Police Ombudsman Verdict On Shell Garda Corruption Allegations

Jul 11th, 2014 

by John Donovan. 

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REPORT, PURSUANT TO SECTION 103 OF THE GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ACT (2005), INTO ALLEGATIONS OF PROVISION OF ALCOHOL TO CERTAIN GARDAÍ AND RELATED ISSUES

BACKGROUND

GSOC received two complaints, in October 2013, from partners in a company, which alleged that they had supplied alcohol, on behalf of another organisation, to garda stations in Co. Mayo in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The complainants said that they had reported the matter to the Garda Síochána in 2011, as a complaint of non-payment by the other company, and alleged that it had not been investigated properly by the Garda Síochána.

ALLEGATIONS MADE

The allegations contained in the two complaints to GSOC were, in summary, that:

• Members of the Garda Síochána at Belmullet Garda Station, and possibly other locations, accepted gifts of alcohol, delivered by the complainant company, in December 2005, December 2006 and December 2007.
• Members of the Garda Síochána failed to correctly address or properly investigate these matters, since they were reported to them by the complainant company in 2011; and failed to respond to requests for update on their inquiries into the matter.
• INVESTIGATION
• GSOC has conducted a thorough, independent investigation into the allegations, which has now been completed. The investigation included the following steps:

• Request of specific information to support the allegations;
• Interview of the complainants;
• Interview of staff from the organisation that the complainants alleged had requested the supply of the alcohol;
• Review of that organisation’s internal investigation into the matter;
• Identification and interview of garda members mentioned either by full or partial name;
• Review of garda investigation into the matter; and
• Numerous other lines of enquiry.

-1-

The investigation began with numerous contacts with the complainants in Autumn/ Winter 2013, by phone, e-mail, and in person at the GSOC headquarters on two occasions. The investigation process was outlined to the complainants, including the need to retrieve documents from them, such as proofs of purchase, bank statements, vehicle hire records, company phone bills and/or any other documents which would provide evidence to substantiate their claim. It was explained that this must be done before approaches were made to any Garda members about whom they had complained. Shortly after the meeting on this subject, the company indicated by e-mail that they would no longer be cooperating with the investigation.

Nevertheless, GSOC proceeded with its investigation, trying to establish if there was other evidence that might support the allegations.

Detailed interview of a senior officer at the organisation alleged to have requested the supply of alcohol was undertaken. This organisation had also been contacted by the complainants and had undertaken an internal investigation into what they categorised as alleged bribery and corruption, two years previously. Findings of this investigation, including the request of corroborating documentation from the complainants, the interrogation of personal computers of staff members and servers, interview of staff members, and an independent audit of invoices, were reviewed.

Interviews of garda members mentioned by either full or partial name in the complaints were carried out, including confirming whether they were stationed at, or had dealings with, the garda stations in question in December 2005, December 2006 and December 2007, when the alcohol was allegedly accepted. The allegations were put to garda members and official statements were taken. A review of the garda correspondence with the complainants was undertaken.

OUTCOME

No evidence of the purchase or delivery of alcohol to garda stations, nor of any misconduct of garda members, has been found as a result of the investigation.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

These complaints and allegations have been made public and had the potential to undermine public confidence in the Garda Síochána, as well as affect the reputation of others. We hope that publicly explaining the proportionate, fair and independent investigation of this matter will promote confidence of members of the public and of the Garda Síochána in police oversight in this country.

-2-

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Posted in: Bribery, Corrib Gas Project, Corruption, Garda, GoogleNews, Ireland, Royal Dutch Shell Plc.
Tagged: Corrib Gas Project · Gas · Ireland · Royal Dutch Shell Plc

The TRUTH will set you FREE.