Mayo councillors to visit Rossport Five in prison today

A number of Mayo county councillors are due to visit the so-called Rossport Five in prison today to discuss their ongoing dispute with the global oil firm Shell.

The five local men have been in prison for eight weeks for refusing to obey an injunction ordering them not to obstruct work on the Corrib gas pipeline.

They believe the structure poses an unacceptable risk to their health and want Shell to process gas from the Corrib field at an offshore location.

Earlier this month, Mayo County Council rejected a motion calling on the company to build an offshore terminal rather than pumping the gas directly onshore.

Speaking ahead of today's meeting, Fine Gael councillor Henry Kenny said he was hoping an agreement could be reached that would see the men released from prison.

The five can secure their release if they agree to obey the court order secured by Shell, but they are refusing to do so and want the company to instead withdraw the injunction.