"The Government have clearly sent the message to Shell, ‘you can do whatever you want’. Fortunately due to protest, the refinery remains unconnected to the gas field. If, as Shell planned, gas had been flowing by now, we would potentially all be dealing with a gas leak and explosion.”
Anti-Corrib Gas Shell to Sea protesters invaded the offices of Mayo County Council yesterday and disrupted the annual general meeting of the authority for almost three-quarters of an hour by playing a high-pitched noise on a tape recorder.
The protesters said the noise was a recording of what they said they had to endure over the bank holiday weekend in the Glengad/Pollathomas area as Corrib Gas developers Shell EP Ireland carried out test work.
Gardaí were called and maintained a watch on the proceedings but there was no attempt to remove the protesters from the packed chamber and there were no arrests. The Shell to Sea protest group, which included prominent activist Maura Harrington, left Áras an Chontae after about an hour.

