Corrib fire 'was malicious', claims Shell

Shell Ireland has said a fire near its Corrib gas terminal at Bellanaboy in Co Mayo was malicious and was not accidental.

The fire broke out after 9pm last night about a kilometre and a half away from the boundary of Shell's Corrib gas terminal at Bellanaboy, causing several thousands of euro worth of damage.

It happened at an area known as Aghoose on lands owned by Coillte.

Shell has said it had stacked about a hundred bog mats, which are used to make temporary roads for the movement of machinery, in the area and it was these which caught fire.

Local firefighters fought the blaze for two to three hours before bringing it under control.

Shell Ireland's external affairs manager John Egan has said the company's initial investigations has shown that the fire was not accidental.

He has stated the company deplores the "malicious" damage which was caused.

Gardaí from Belmullet have secured the scene for technical examination.