Potential embarrassment narrowly averted in Shell to Sea motion

THE Labour leadership was spared an embarrassment after party members put on hold a decision on whether to support the Shell to Sea campaign.

The campaign wants Shell to build its proposed Corrib gas terminal and pipeline offshore.

But although established as a non-violent organisation, with members drawn mainly from the local community in Erris, Shell to Sea has attracted a number of confrontational activists who have clashed with gardaí. A number of Labour supporters have backed the Shell to Sea campaign, particularly members of Labour Youth. But the leadership has never associated itself with the campaign for risk of being seen to support activity of bringing the law into disrepute.