Irish Times: Major escalation in opposition to gas pipeline threatened: “Shell to Sea campaigners claim that activists from all over Ireland will flock to their Solidarity Camp at Rossport, Co Mayo in early spring to help local people resist attempts by Shell E&P Ireland contractors to force the controversial pipeline through the area.”: Posted Wednesday 28 December 2005

Tom Shiel

A major escalation in opposition to the onshore Corrib gas pipeline is threatened early in the New Year following an appeal on a website by campaigners for "gifts" such as night-vision goggles and bolt-cutters which could be used to breach heavy-duty steel fencing.

Shell to Sea campaigners claim that activists from all over Ireland will flock to their Solidarity Camp at Rossport, Co Mayo in early spring to help local people resist attempts by Shell E&P Ireland contractors to force the controversial pipeline through the area.

The camp, which it is hoped to power with a wind-generator, has been set up on lands owned by one of the local men who recently spent 94 days in Cloverhill Prison for his opposition to the pipeline.

The final report of an independent safety review of the onshore pipeline is due for publication in the new year. Mediation talks, chaired by former Ictu general secretary Peter Cassells are under way between Shell and the local community. According to one of the latest bulletins on the Shell to Sea website, all the indications are that Shell hope to restart work in the last week of February.

Shell to Sea campaigners have issued a set of gift vouchers, similar to those issued by charities, so that supporters can donate towards equipment for the Rossport Solidarity Camp.

The website states: "Since the Government supports the scheme, it is feared that gardaI and Defence Forces will be used to support Shell's contractors in their attempts to force the high-pressure pipeline through the scenic area.

"The camp will act as a focal point for those who wish to help defend the area against the controversial scheme."

Equipment shown on the gift vouchers includes waterproof clothing, a wind turbine, bolt cutters, a digital camcorder, night-vision goggles and a 25kg sack of lentils.

Shell could not be contacted yesterday for a comment on the contents of the latest Shell to Sea website posting. 

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