Pipe-laying works suspended on Corrib project

The offshore pipe-laying works, due to get underway as part of the Corrib gas project at Broadhaven Bay in Co Mayo, have been suspended.

Shell said a section of equipment on its pipe-laying ship, the Solitaire, was damaged earlier - they said it is too early to say what caused the technical problem.

The ship will return to harbour, most likely to Killybegs, to be repaired over the next two days.

A number of protests are taking place at the site today including a hunger strike by one of the leading opponents to the project, Maura Harrington.