Public hearing to be held into Corrib gas pipeline

The Government has announced plans to hold a two-day public hearing next month into the controversial Corrib gas pipeline.

The Department of Natural Resources said the meeting would be held locally sometime in late October.

It also said it was also establishing a process to allow interested parties make written submissions to the company reviewing the safety of the pipeline.

Many local residents oppose the structure for safety reasons and want gas from the Corrib field pumped to an offshore terminal instead of directly onshore.

Five local landowners have also been in prison since June for refusing to obey a court injunction ordering them not to obstruct work on the pipeline.