Taxpayers face huge bill for Shell security

The State faces a bill of up to €40,000 for round-the-clock Garda protection of the controversial Shell gas pipeline in County Mayo.

Eight gardaí are on duty at any one time, to provide 24-hour security at the four gates into the sites at Ballanaboy and Rossport.

The five men who were jailed for obstructing Shell access to their land are spending their 61st day in Cloverhill prison.