The Shell-to-Sea campaign in North Mayo

www.shelltosea

The Corrib gas project entails exploiting a natural gas deposit off the northwest coast of Ireland. The field is located about 80 km off Erris Head in County Mayo, in water depths of 355 meters. The natural gas field, discovered in 1996, was the first reported commercial natural gas discovery in Ireland since the Kinsale Head gas field in 1973. Reserves in the field are believed to be about 30 billion cubic meters (1 trillion ft³) 70% the volume of the Kinsale field.

 While the Shelltosea campaign does not oppose the development of the gas field for the benefit of the Irish people, they oppose the current plans for the project, which they regard as dangerous, despite assurances from Shell. The level of opposition to the current configuration of the project has led to a large amount of security at the refinery building site at Bellanaboy... The security consist of Shell’s own private firm and that provided by the Irish state

Shell has proposed to develop the Corrib field as a sub-sea production facility with onshore processing. This method of development is claimed by Shell to be in line with best industry practice for gas fields of this type, but no other refinery in the developed world is both as close to a residential community and regional water supply. Many people, including local residents, are concerned about the health, safety and environmental impact of the onshore aspects of the scheme, and, citing Shell's record, do not believe the company's assurances. Others are concerned with alleged irregularities and precedents surrounding the project. Protests by residents have been ongoing daily at the refinery site since the summer of 2005, when five local men were jailed for contempt of court after refusing to obey a court injunction to allow Shell workers on their lands.

The Shelltosea campaign, which is attempting to have the gas refined at sea rather than inland, was created during their imprisonment. A poll conducted throughout the county by TNS/MRBI on behalf of RTÉ's Nuacht in September 2006. 60% felt the terminal should be located offshore at sea, with less than a quarter supporting the current plans. The offshore alternative has strongest support amongst those aged under 49 years, and those residing in Castlebar/Ballinrobe/ Claremorris and Westport/Belmullet areas."

Recently, An Bord Pleanála (The Irish Planning Board) has stated that the pipeline routes sought  by Shell are unsafe and progress on the pipeline project has been temporarily halted.

 Since the beginning  of the Shelltosea campaign, a number  of individual activists and entire families have been jailed, threatened and beaten and by security forces that operate with impunity .

  Some of the experiences of three families who have been in the forefront of the Shelltosea campaign are  captured on video and related by;

Maura Harrington, (Video no 1) a retired local school teacher has been in the forefront of this campaign. Maura has been jailed, endured a hunger strike protest and is facing another term in jail for her refusal to end her opposition to the Shell project as it stands

 Mary and Willie Corduff (Video no 2) both grandparents have also suffered enormously from their roles in the Shelltosea campaign. Willie has been jailed, threatened, and an out right attempt made on his life while on the picket line at the proposed Shell refinery.

 Pat O Donnell (Video no 3) a fisherman makes his living in the local waters off N. W. Mayo including Broadhaven Bay, the home for many species, threatened with extinction, if Shell’s project proceeded as presently planned. 

  Recently, while fishing an armed party boarded and sunk his boat without any warning. He like others has also been jailed and continually threatened for his part in the Shelltosea campaign.

 

Related videos  -----  (Maura Harrington)         (Mary & Willie Corduff)         (Pat O'Donnell)