Irish Independent: Shell did no illegal work near homes of Rossport 5: “THE High Court has ruled that no unauthorised works linked to the installation of the Corrib pipeline have been carried out by Shell near the homes of the Rossport Five.”: Thursday 20 October 2005

THE High Court has ruled that no unauthorised works linked to the installation of the Corrib pipeline have been carried out by Shell near the homes of the Rossport Five.

President of the court, Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan rejected claims by the Rossport Five Campaign that Shell had broken its promise to the court that it would not carry out works linked to the controversial pipeline on the men's land.

EXPLANATION

The judge had asked for an explanation from Shell E & P Ireland Ltd after it was claimed by six local people, including three of the five men who spent 90 days in jail for contempt of court, that the undertaking was not being observed.

The judge said he was also satisfied there was no breach of an undertaking made to the court by Shell last April.

He said whether there were other works in relation to the laying and welding of pipes was a matter between the company and the minister.

The matter arose as work was carried out on the welding of a section of the pipeline on Coillte lands near the lands owned by the Rossport Five after the High Cour made its order.

Shell managing director Andrew Pyle in his affidavit said he wished to make it clear at no time did the company consciously or deliberately breach its undertaking to the court.

He said a decision was taken to commence welding the pipeline on the Coillte lands and this work started on the first week in June.

Shell, he said was keen complete the phase in one construction season to minimise environmental impacts and disturbance to the local community.

At the time the decision was taken to commence welding the pipeline on the Coillte lands, Mr Pyle said it did not occur to him that Shell could be in breach of its undertaking to the High Court.

Shell understood the undertaking related to specific lands and not the Coillte lands. The Rossport Five are due back in the High Court next week to hear of any sanction they may receive arising out of the contempt of court.

Ann O'Loughlin 

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