Postal protest highlights Sellafield concerns

The wife of Irish rock star Bono has launched another campaign to close the Sellafield nuclear power plant.

One million postcards, demanding the closure of Sellafield, look set to land on the British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s door as part of the new campaign fronted by Ali Hewson, the partner of the U2 singer.

The postcard, which features the phrase: “Tony, look me in the eye and tell me I’m safe” was delivered to 1.3 million households across Ireland. They are expected to arrive, free of charge, on Mr Blair’s doorstep by April 26, courtesy of the Irish postal company An Post.

Bono and his wife - an anti-nuclear campaigner - live in Killiney Bay in south County Dublin - just over 100 miles away from Sellafield.

“I’ve always felt strongly opposed to Sellafield”, said Ali. “It is 60 miles away from the Irish coast. It is pumping 2 million gallons of radioactive liquid waste into the Irish Sea every day, making the Irish Sea the most radioactive sea in the world. If an accident happens at the plant, or if there is a terrorist attack, depending on which way the wind blows, Dublin, Dundalk, Drogheda, Belfast, and vast parts of Ireland, would be uninhabitable. Forever.”

However, the British Government denies Sellafield is the risk the Irish Government and pressure groups believe it to be.

People can buy other postcards to be sent to the Prince of Wales and Sellafield’s chief executive. Supermarkets and banks will be asked to sell the cards to customers for one euro. All of the postcards will be delivered on 26 April with the proceeds going to victims of the Chernobyl disaster.

Ali Hewson added: “The postcards are a peaceful yet powerful way for the Irish people to express our desire to have Sellafield shut down. The more cards we send, the stronger our message will be.”

(AMcE)