An English-based energy firm yesterday confirmed that it has lodged an application with the Irish Government to carry out fracking exploration in west Clare.

The controversial drilling technique known as "fracking" may be on its way to County Clare with disastrous consequences for local habitats, according to Clare Fracking Concerned.

An action group has warned a British energy firm the fracking of a natural gas field in Clare will not proceed — “not now, not ever”.

Two firms seeking to begin fracking in Ireland to release natural gas trapped in shale have confirmed initial positive results.

The first national meeting of anti-fracking activists will take place this weekend, in the wake of a prediction by an Australian exploration firm that there is 40 years’ worth of gas in the North-West.