Further Shell protest planned
The march takes place as five Co Mayo men begin a second week in jail for obstructing work on the Shell Corrib gas pipeline.
And in Edinburgh yesterday, 50 G8 protesters picketed the Irish Consulate to show solidarity with the jailed farmers.
Meanwhile, a new independent report has endorsed Shell’s quality risk assessment of the controversial Corrib pipeline.
The report by AEA Technology was carried out at the request of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and has been posted on the department’s website.
AEA Technology supported Shell’s finding that the risk to the public from the operation of the onshore section of the gas pipeline would be within recognised international standards.
Shell also announced yesterday that it had decided to temporarily suspend operations at the proposed terminal site at Ballanaboy where protests have also been staged during the week.
Gardaí had been called to the proposed site yesterday after a protester was “clipped” by a vehicle being used by contractors. The protester was only slightly injured and did not require medical assistance.
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey, also confirmed yesterday that he would appoint a mediator to intervene in the dispute if efforts by the Council for the West failed to help broker an agreement between the residents and Shell.
Labour’s Tommy Broughan said the minister must act in every way possible to end the dispute.
Legal moves are expected to begin today in the High Court in Dublin that could lead to the men’s release.
Rossport resident, Monica Muller and environmental activist, Peter Sweetman, want the court order that resulted in the men being jailed either changed or discharged on the basis that Shell does not have the necessary consents that it claimed to have at an earlier court hearing.
A full hearing of all the issues involved is due to begin in October.
