As patron of the justice and peace organisation Afri, a disturbing development in the ongoing resource conflict in Erris, County Mayo, has been brought to my attention. A peaceful protestor, Goldman International Environmental Award Winner Mr. Willie Corduff has been physically attacked, under cover of darkness, by the agents of a multinational corporation, resulting in his being hospitalised and left severely hurt and traumatised. I am aware that the conflict centres around attempts by a consortium comprised of Shell, Statoil and Marathon to bring raw gas ashore in Erris...This is opposed by local people...because of fears for their health and safety (including possible contamination of their drinking water).