Shell in Mayo: An Update

mayo | environment | news report

Sunday February 13, 2005 21:47

by Terry - NUIG Ecology Society/Anarchist Federation/Organise (personal capacity)

room101ucg at yahoo dot co dot uk

An update on the current status of Shell’s refinery development in Mayo, an indymedia feature on the issue is to be found here: http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=67410

Following the granting of permission to Shell’s oil refinery project in North-West Mayo by An Bord Pleanala last fall two applications for a judicial review have been lodged in the high court.

One, by locally based electrician Martin Harrington, and another by Peter Sweetman, a Dublin based environmental consultant.
In mid January these cases were transferred from the regular section of the High Court to the Commercial Court, at the behest of Shell. The significance of this being that in the Commercial Court the process is quickened and costs can be awarded against the applicants.

This later provision possibly being against the Aarhus Convention, which is enshrined in EU regulations, and allows objectors to challenge planning decisions at “reasonable cost to themselves”.

Mr Harrington’s case is that the planning board failed to carry out on an environmental impact study on the project in its entirety, as opposed to looking at individual sections in isolation, and that it failed in regard to EU directives on the transfer of dangerous substances. This pertaining to the proposed on shore high-pressure pipeline for untreated gas, which will be the longest of its type in the world.

Court next meets on the 21st of this month, upon which day it will set a date for a decision.

Shell started preparatory work on the refinery site just after Christmas, this mostly consisting of drainage, access roads and laying a solid groundwork for the machinery to come in.

Some areas where the pipeline is to be laid have been fenced off, but the seven landowners who possess 50% of the land on which the pipe is to go are refusing Shell access.

There are ‘compulsory acquisition orders’ in place, but these are supposed to be only applicable for state run developments, and are not supposed to be the playthings of private industry.

In mid winter workers for Shell entered the properties, and after being told to take a hike, videotaped the people who were telling them where to go, a perennial intimidatory tactic.

On the 21st of January the seven property owners received threatening notices, aka solicitors’ letters, offering the choice of unconditional surrender or a court injunction preventing them from entering the areas where the pipeline is due to be built.

This intimidation was met with stony resilience and with the silent contempt it deserves.

Nothing more has been heard of this since then, despite the fact the letters gave seven days for people to desist in preventing Shell from entering their lands before they were to be taken to court.

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Comments (7 of 7)

thanks Terry,

by Mary Kelly

Mon Feb 14, 2005 13:28

excellent report, please keep us informed.

Shells Record

by pat c

Mon Feb 14, 2005 13:52

In Nigeria Shell are able to have their opponents shot by the army/police or framed by the courts and hanged. Interestingly the first resort of Shell in Mayo was to call the Garda when they were refused access to lands. In this case the Gardai involved held that it was a civil matter.

by Clare

Mon Feb 14, 2005 15:31

What are the grounds for Sweetman's case?

Best ways that support can be offered to the communities involved? Any contact info?

Thanks.

Corrib News

by redjade

Wed Feb 16, 2005 12:54

Fears grow of gas ‘explosion’
http://www.westernpeople.ie/news/story.asp?j=23701

SHELL Ireland has been challenged to guarantee the safety of people living in close proximity to its upstream pipeline connecting the Corrib find with the planned refinery at Bellanaboy.

local news and gossip

by pc

Wed Feb 16, 2005 17:18

local news commentator?

I can’t see the pressure-in-the-pipe argument working though. When you see LPG being used in cars routinely without anyone objecting on safety grounds you understand that this is regular technology.

http://www.castlebar.ie/news/wp-20041208.shtml

gossip http://www.castlebar.ie/board/2004/oct/100594.htm

progressive publishing my arse
http://forums.tcm.ie/westernpeople

also http://www.castlebar.ie/news/mn-20041027.shtml

seems the Haringtons are the ones to get in touch with for spokeperson like people would like to hear from more locals

Media Update

by M.M. Mc Carron - Ogoni Solidarity Ireland

Wed Mar 02, 2005 11:05

Thank you for providing this public space where the Corrib gas issue can be openly clarified by all the interested parties. Please if possible alert us to media items. Yesterday an item on TG 4, and a piece today in the Irish Times( 2 March). Some weeks ago a picture of the resisting land owners in the Observer.

Erris landowners in Dublin Court on Monday 14 March

by M.M. Mc Carron - OSI

Mon Mar 07, 2005 16:11

Please read Irish Times news of the Erris landowners who have to come to a Dublin court next Monday 14 March. They are refusing access to a Shell gas pipe line which they regard unsafe. Shell is insisting on going ahead with Compulsory Acquisition Orders.
What we can do. Ask about the health and safety issue with your local TD and / or the Minister Noel Dempsey who admits it is an unusual design and the Health and Safety Authority says it has no remit to judge. Ask on whose word the landowners are to rely about their personal and communal health and safety. Be in Court with the landowners.

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Shell in Mayo: An Update

Comments (7 of 7)