Irish Independent

Protests over gas pipeline halted by court

SHELL E and P Ireland Ltd was granted a temporary injunction by the High Court yesterday preventing named protesters from obstructing access to its compound at Rossport, Co Mayo.

The interim order continues until Wednesday, when the case will come back to court.

Paul Gallagher, pipeline engineer with the company, said in an affidavit the proceedings arose from the proposed development of the offshore Corrib Gas Field.

The company proposed to extract gas from the field by means of a pipeline that will come ashore at Dooncarton, Broadhaven Bay, and convey the gas to an onshore gas reception terminal near Bellanboy Bridge, in the townland of Bellgelly South.

In related proceedings, an order was made by the court last April restraining defendants from obstructing entry by the company's employees and agents onto the pipeline corridor through lands at Rossport.

In order to facilitate the laying of the pipeline and related works, the company and its subcontractor, Sicim-Roadbridge Ltd, has a compound at Rossport where vehicles, equipment and materials are stored and where the temporary offices of the pipeline construction project personnel are located.

Last Tuesday, about six protesters with cars blocked the access road to the compound and prevented entry by a truck containing plastic water pipe that was seeking to make a delivery. On Thursday, protesters stopped another truck from entering the compound.

Mr Gallagher said the effect of the protesters' action was to prevent the company from continuing its preparatory work and construction activities on the pipeline.

This would inevitably result in delaying the laying of the pipeline, which was scheduled to commence within the next two weeks, Mr Gallagher said.

John Maddock

© Irish Independent