Jailed protesters ‘determined to keep up fight’

THE five men jailed over protests against the Shell gas drilling operation in Mayo remain determined to continue their protest, said a TD who visited them in jail yesterday.

Jerry Cowley was one of five TDs who visited the men in Clover Hill prison, where they have been held since Wednesday. The independent deputy from Mayo said the men were "absolutely determined" to stick with the protest, and were not willing to purge their contempt.

The five men from Rossport in North Mayo were all jailed on Wednesday when they refused to give undertakings not to obstruct preparatory work for future pipe-laying being done by the oil multi-national. The proposed high-pressure pipes, bearing gas, will link the gas fields with a processing terminal at Bellanaboy, five kilometres inland.

Mr Cowley visited the men along with Eamon Ryan of the Green Party, Tommy Broughan of the Labour Party and independent deputies Finian McGrath and James Breen.

He said that the men were in good spirits but were concerned about the indeterminate nature of their imprisonment all five must remain in jail until willing to purge their contempt and accede to the order.

"It was determination that got them this far," said Mr Cowley. "Determination will keep them there.

"They will not tolerate going back to their families in a situation where they have fears about the health implications of pipes that will pass within 70 metres of them."

With further protests being planned this weekend, it emerged that an attempt to secure the men's release will be made in the High Court next Wednesday.

Three of the five men, Willie Corduff, and brothers Philip and Vincent McGrath, were brought to the High Court yesterday in relation to a separate injunction preventing them from obstructing a road leading to the gas terminal.

After they gave assurances that they would abide by the order, contempt proceedings were dismissed. However, they remain in jail in relation to their refusal to comply with the other injunction. The other two jailed protesters are James Philbin and Micheál Ó Seighin.

Solicitor Gregg Casey told the court that the ministerial consents for installation of the Corrib gas pipeline may be invalid. He sought leave to make an application to discharge the court order made last April.

The President of the High Court, Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan, said the order could provide the circumstance where the five men could purge their contempt. But he added, if that was not the case, they could remain in prison for a very long time.