Safety fears over ‘volatile’ Rossport protests

UP to 300 angry protesters clashed with gardaí in north Mayo yesterday as anti-Shell campaigners were bussed into the region from all around the country.

For nearly three weeks now, residents on the Erris peninsula have blocked workers accessing the 400-acre site.

Objectors want the energy company to process gas from the Corrib field out at sea. Shell insists this is not feasible and claim safety concerns have already been addressed with the agreement to move the onshore 9km pipeline away from worried landowners.