Irish Times: Controversy over Mayo pipeline

“…the whole saga, has created a dichotomy between the so-called Rossport Five (“good”) and Shell (“bad”) that could well result in there being no way through the impasse, and in thousands of people (the silent majority, perhaps?) being denied access to natural gas as a source of power”

Tuesday Oct 11, 2005

Madam, – We wish to commend all those who rallied to our assistance this summer. It is important to do this following the nonsensical assertions by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny on RTE’s The Week in Politics on October 3rd (The Irish Times, October 4th).

He asserted that his office was picketed by Sinn Fein and he rejected criticism of his stance on the Corrib crisis as a Sinn Fein-inspired campaign because of his opposition to a proposed deal over the release of IRA prisoners. read more

Irish Times: Shell set to dismantle pipeline section next week, says Dempsey

“The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey, has said that Shell E&P is expected to begin work next week on dismantling part of the controversial Corrib gas pipeline that was welded together without proper consent.”: “All development work has ceased on the onshore pipeline due to the ongoing controversy, which has seen five men spend more than 90 days in jail for refusing to purge their contempt of court over a refusal to comply with a High Court injunction obtained by Shell.”

Posted Thursday 29 September 2005

Liam Reid, Political Reporter

Oireachtas committee: The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey, has said that Shell E&P is expected to begin work next week on dismantling part of the controversial Corrib gas pipeline that was welded together without proper consent.

In a three-hour hearing before the Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Dempsey also criticised the Shell to Sea campaign against the pipeline, claiming that its main aim was not the safety of people living beside the pipeline, but a general opposition to the exploitation of offshore gas fields by private companies. read more

Irish Times: Corrib campaigners leave for Norway

“Supporters of the five Mayo men still imprisoned because of their opposition to the Corrib gas onshore pipeline leave for Norway today to visit members of the new Labour government and representatives of Statoil.”: “The men, nearing their 12th week in prison, agreed to a mediation offer by Shell last week.”

Monday Sept 19, 2005

Lorna Siggins, Marine Correspondent

Supporters of the five Mayo men still imprisoned because of their opposition to the Corrib gas onshore pipeline leave for Norway today to visit members of the new Labour government and representatives of Statoil.

Statoil, which is 71 per cent Norwegian state-owned, holds a 38 per cent share in the Corrib gas field, along with partners Shell and Marathon. The delegation, led by Mayo TD Dr Jerry Cowley (Ind), intends to highlight Norway’s role in the impasse. read more

Irish Times: FF chair of committee denies he is avoiding Shell issue

“Meanwhile, a senior Shell executive has apologised for describing the proposed trip to Norway by Dr Jerry Cowley (Ind) as “a junket”. Corrib gas project manager Mark Carrigy said he regretted using the term in an interview on Mid West Radio.”

Lorna Siggins, Marine Correspondent

Sep 10, 2005

Fianna Fail’s Noel O’Flynn, chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, rejected a Labour Party claim that he is avoiding convening a meeting on the Shell Corrib gas issue.

Mr O’Flynn was responding yesterday to criticism of him by one of the Oireachtas committee members, Labour TD Tommy Broughan, who has accused him of “running away” from the issue.

Relatives of the five imprisoned north Mayo men and the Shell to Sea campaign are to travel to Norway next week with Mayo TD Jerry Cowley. The group plans to raise Statoil’s role in the row, given that the company is a shareholder of Shell and Marathon in the gas field. read more

Irish Times: High Court appearance for Rossport Five

“The five Co Mayo men, who have been in prison for 71 days for contempt of court relating to the Shell Corrib gas pipeline…”

Thursday Sept 08, 2005

Ray Managh

The five Co Mayo men, who have been in prison for 71 days for contempt of court relating to the Shell Corrib gas pipeline, made a brief appearance in the High Court yesterday.

Although nothing of legal significance took place in court yesterday, the men were permitted to meet with family members and friends in the time between the two-minute hearing and their return to jail.

During their two-hour stay in the courts complex, the five men mixed with relatives in the Round Hall of the Four Courts before being taken back to their cells in a prison bus to Cloverhill Prison. read more

Irish Times: Council rejects ‘Shell to Sea’ call

“Dr Mark Garavan, spokesman for the “Shell to Sea” campaign and the imprisoned men who are today spending their 46th day in jail, warned about the danger to lives if the onshore pipeline ruptured. Locals had been crying out for five years about pipeline safety issues. Minister for the Marine Noel Dempsey had made the extraordinary admission that no State agency was responsible for the pipeline, he added.”

Saturday 13 August 2005

Lorna Siggins and Tom Shiel

Mayo County Council has rejected a motion urging Shell to locate its controversial Corrib gas terminal offshore.

The 13-9 vote followed strong legal advice from the council’s lawyer, Michael Browne, that the motion, if passed, could expose the authority to expensive litigation.

Before voting at an emergency session yesterday, the 22 councillors who attended were also advised by deputy county manager Joe Beirne that the motion would make it difficult for the authority to attract further investment to the county. read more