Harrington to continue hunger strike despite ship's 'damage'

Veteran anti-Corrib campaigner Maura Harrington has said she is determined to continue with her hunger strike, despite the withdrawal of the Solitaire ship today.

Veteran anti-Corrib campaigner Maura Harrington has today said she is determined to continue with her hunger strike, despite the withdrawal of the Solitaire ship.

“Be under no illusion that I am anything other that deadly serious in my intent,” she said.

The massive pipe-laying vessel, brought in by Shell to begin works in Broadhaven, has been damaged and brought in to shore, according to the company.

A spokeswoman for Shell said the damage was not linked to the protests and the cause had yet to be established.

“The offshore pipe laying programme in Broadhaven Bay has been suspended until a full assessment of the damaged equipment has been conducted,” she said.

“The Solitaire will return to Killybegs or another harbour for assessment and repair within the next 48 hours.”

Meanwhile, two fishermen were re-arrested today and energy giant Shell was forced to abandon pipe-laying works as protests continued to escalate over the controversial Corrib gas project.

The father and son, who are members of the Shell to Sea group, were first detained last night on their fishing boats during protests in Broadhaven Bay.

Hours after being released, the men, aged 51 and 23, joined a second stand-off at sea and were again taken into custody.

Teams of gardaí both on land and at sea, the Irish Navy and private security outfits have been involved in a series of stand-offs with Shell to Sea protestors as the company begins pipe-laying works on the sea bed.