Lawyers urged to end Rossport Five saga

Lawyers for five Mayo men battling against a controversial gas pipeline were today urged to meet legal representatives from energy giant Shell to thrash out a compromise.

Following his third visit to the men in a Dublin jail, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said both sides should examine whether the men’s release could be secured by varying the High Court injunction.

“Shell has previously indicated to me that they are open to suggestions and proposals aimed at resolving this situation. I am, therefore, also conveying this suggestion to the company,” he said.

“I very much hope that direct engagement between both legal teams can bring about a compromise solution which would see the families reunited and these men making a full contribution to the crucially important safety review which is about to commence.”

Work on the controversial 70km pipeline form the Corrib gas field in the Atlantic to an offshore refinery has stopped. Mr Kenny said this could be the key to finding a solution by varying the court order.

The Mayo TD and Fine Gael leader noted a ruling laid down in the High Court by Mr Justice Finlay, President of the High Court in 1977, which drew a distinction between civil and criminal contempt.

Mr Kenny said lawyers should examine whether a compromise could be achieved by Shell consenting to the men’s release.

The men, Willie Corduff, Micheal O’Seighin, Brendan Philbin, and brothers Vincent and Philip McGrath, agreed that Mr Kenny should convey his suggestions to their legal advisers.

Mr Kenny said lawyers should look at the Finlay ruling to establish if it offered the possibility of Shell consenting to the men’s release and applying to have its injunction varied on the grounds that work on the project has been temporarily halted.

He said this would not prejudice Shell’s right to seek the same order if it needed to in the future.

“Such a gesture could facilitate the men going before the court to seek their release,” he said.

Mr Kenny said the men had a vital role to play in assessing whether the pipeline met strict safety standards.

All five were jailed 65 days ago for refusing to comply with an injunction stopping them from protesting against the onshore section of the line. The men fear it will put their lives at risk as IT runs just 70 metres from some of their homes.

“I am anxious to ensure that these Rossport men return to their families and community without further delay so that they can participate in the safety review of the onshore element of the Corrib gas project,” Mr Kenny said.