RTE Interactive (Ireland): No apology over Mayo gas pipeline order: “The five Co Mayo men jailed for contempt of a High Court order in relation to the Shell Corrib gas pipeline were back in court this afternoon. However, they have so far failed to apologise to the court or undertake to abide by the court order that restrains interference with the development of the pipeline.: Monday 11 July 2005 17:51

The five Co Mayo men jailed for contempt of a High Court order in relation to the Shell Corrib gas pipeline were back in court this afternoon.

However, they have so far failed to apologise to the court or undertake to abide by the court order that restrains interference with the development of the pipeline.

In a move to try and clear the way for the men's release from prison, lawyers sought a variation of the existing order to delete the words 'construction' and 'installation'.  

The men say on affidavit that their opposition to the gas pipeline is based on concerns that its installation on their lands will pose a significant risk of an explosion, but if the order was varied they could express regret at having disobeyed the order.

They are also seeking an order restraining Shell from carrying out any installation work through their lands without ministerial consent.

Shell says it is prepared to agree to an addition to the existing order that no works would be carried out without the consent of the minister under the Gas Acts.

The application has now been adjourned to Thursday and the men have returned to prison. 

But the President of the High Court, Justice Joseph Finnegan, told the men that it seemed a ludicrous proposition that someone would come to court looking for an injunction when they themselves are in flagrant breach of an existing injunction.

As the men left to return to Cloverhill Prison they did not indicate if they are now prepared to purge their contempt.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/0711/mayo.html

Click here for ShellNews.net HOME PAGE