McDowell accuses Sinn Féin over Bellenaboy violence

The Minister for Justice has said Sinn Féin is playing a significant role in prompting trouble at the Shell gas terminal site in Co Mayo.

Speaking after this morning's violence at Bellanaboy, Michael McDowell said the gardaí there have his full backing.

He hit out at key figures in Sinn Féin saying: "I want to say to Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness and Caoimhin O’Caolain that this tactic of confronting the Gardaí and of breaking the law to achieve political notoriety won’t succeed.

"We've gone through all forms of due process and we’ve gone through all forms of conciliation. A tiny minority of people continue to confront the law and they are being supported in this by the Sinn Féin party. Provo tactics won’t work."