A boat involved in the Corrib gas project which struck rocks in Broadhaven Bay, Co Mayo is being towed to shore.

Two leading Corrib gas activists were today jailed for four months after participating in demonstrations against energy giant Shell’s controversial project.

Gardaí in Co Mayo have arrested nine people during ongoing protests against the controversial Corrib gas pipeline scheme.

GARDAÍ made four arrests as protesters continued to demonstrate yesterday against pipe laying in Broadhaven Bay for the Shell gas facility along the Mayo coast.

A massive security operation was under way in Co Mayo today as work on the final stages of energy giant Shell’s bitterly disputed gas refinery began.

Controversial pipe-laying work is due to begin in Broadhaven Bay in Co Mayo today as part of the Corrib gas project.

MORE than 100 gardaí, backed by a similar number of private security personnel, were last night involved in a standoff with protesters opposed to Shell’s attempt to lay a pipeline connecting north Mayo to the Corrib gas field.

A small Irish coastal community was gripped in a massive security operation tonight to allow final offshore work to begin on energy giant Shell’s bitterly disputed gas refinery.

The world's largest pipe-laying ship, the Solitaire, is due in Broadhaven Bay in north Mayo later today as part of the controversial Corrib gas pipeline project.

A fisherman has been taken to hospital following a rescue operation by the Ballyglass Lifeboat off the Co Mayo coast this morning.

With the Shell protests escalating, both sides agree the reappearance of the Solitaire vessel will be decisive, writes Scott Millar.

Energy giant Shell today strongly denied any involvement in the alleged sinking of a trawler carrying protesters opposed to its controversial new gas terminal in Ireland.

An Bord Pleanála is due to begin an oral hearing today into some of the outstanding planning issues related to Shell's controversial Corrib gas project.

Leading anti-Corrib gas activist Maura Harrington was today released from prison after being jailed over her protests.

A RETIRED school principal who is one of the most recognised of the Shell to Sea campaigners has been sent to jail.

The high-level garda security operation at Shell’s controversial Corrib gas project cost more than €1m in October, new figures revealed today.

The Energy Minister and the Minister for Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs were in the west today to hear the views of local people from Erris in Co Mayo on the controversial Corrib gas pipeline.

IN his letter (September 23), Michael Job asks if someone would explain what the Corrib gas pipeline protest is about, and refers to these people as NIMBYS who “want to go back to a medieval existence”.

Shell to Sea protestor Maura Harrington has ended her hunger strike.

The Minister for the Environment has said it may be appropriate for his colleague the Energy Minister Eamon Ryan to meet with those involved in the Shell to Sea protest in north Mayo.

IN your editorial (September 11), you complain about protests against Shell’s persistent attempts to build a refinery in Co Mayo which you consider “unacceptable” and which allegedly “involve illegal or criminal behaviour”.

Shell to Sea campaigners have today distanced themselves from the placing of an explosive device outside Shell's headquarters in Dublin.

SHELL-TO-SEA protester Maura Harrington yesterday celebrated her 55th birthday by retiring from her school principal’s job and continuing her hunger strike against Shell’s work on the coastline of Co Mayo.

IF the Green agenda is really going to mean anything at all in terms of communities, habitats, resources and the environment, I suggest Environment Minister John Gormley and his colleagues consider kissing Fianna Fáil and the PD coalition goodbye in defence of all who stand to lose so much in Glenad, Rossport and Erris.

Veteran anti-Corrib campaigner Maura Harrington has said she is determined to continue with her hunger strike, despite the withdrawal of the Solitaire ship today.

The offshore pipe-laying works, due to get underway as part of the Corrib gas project at Broadhaven Bay in Co Mayo, have been suspended.

Two fishermen have been arrested in Glengad in Co Mayo today.

Three fishermen, arrested in Broadhaven Bay, Co Mayo yesterday have now been released without charge by gardaí.

A leading opponent of the controversial Corrib gasline went on hunger strike last night.

A naval ship was deployed today as protests mounted over a controversial Shell gas pipeline.

ANTI-SHELL campaigners are concerned about the planned Mayo gas pipeline damaging dolphin habitats after recent sightings of up to 20 of the mammals locally.

UP to 30 whale species, a string of bats, the Kerry slug, otters and the natterjack toad should have a better chance of survival after the European Court of Justice ruled Ireland must take better care of them in future.

THE Rossport Five said they were “more defiant than ever” last night after their campaign claimed a minor coup with a decision by Shell to suspend its pipeline work off the Mayo coast.

A TOTAL of 56 jobs are to be axed at the site of a controversial gas pipeline on the Mayo coast, it was confirmed yesterday.

A total of 56 jobs are to be axed at the site of a controversial gas pipeline on the Mayo coast, it was confirmed today.

Post mortem examinations were due to be carried out today on the bodies of a five-year-old boy and his teenage sister who died as they played in the sea with an inflatable raft.

Gardai have not yet released the names of the young brother and sister who died in a drowning tragedy off the Mayo coast.