Several people reported injured at Shell to Sea protests

The Shell to Sea protest group’s Day of Action in Co Mayo has sparked off violent scenes. One protestor was reportedly taken to hospital with neck and back injuries.

The Shell to Sea protest group’s Day of Action in Co Mayo has sparked off violent scenes and one protestor was reportedly taken to hospital with neck and back injuries.

Members of the Shell to Sea group also say a number of other protestors sustained head injuries at Bellenaboy but did not need hospital treatment.

About 200 people were staging a sit-down protest in an effort to prevent Shell workers entering the construction site of the new gas terminal.

Gardaí were able to move the convoy of workers through to the site and baton-charged the protestors.

Demonstrators have been staging protests there every morning since October 2.

The Taoiseach has said however that he will not intervene in the conflict.

Bertie Ahern said he believes all reasonable concerns have been dealt with adequately by the Cassels report and the technical advisory group.

He said it is time for people to move on now after Minister for Natural Resources Noel Dempsey having “worked tirelessly” to bring a resolution to the dispute.

Meanwhile, demonstrations will take place at Shell Headquarters around the world today to mark the 11th anniversary of the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other anti-Shell activists in Nigeria.

A wreath will be laid at Shell's headquarters in Dublin this lunchtime.