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.

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”.

A study has confirmed a natural gas field in west Clare of up to 3.86 trillion cubic feet of shale gas.

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