Industrial projects could put Shannon at risk

IN a week that the ever popular Inland Waterways Association of Ireland’s 51st Shannon Boat Rally is underway, it is a timely to publicise two major industrial undertakings that could grossly affect the majestic Shannon river system.

At Lough Allen, a huge natural gas exploration project is proposed that will involve hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” as it is commonly known.

This involves forcing certain chemicals at high pressure down various boreholes that are to be drilled in the Lough Allen area.