Work halted at Bellanaboy as protesters gain entry to Shell's site, six arrested.

mayo | environment | news report Saturday April 14, 2007 17:28 by Eve - Shell to Sea/ Rossport Solidarity Camp

Work at Shell's proposed refinery site at Bellanaboy was interupted for the second day running today with 30 protesters engaging in a trespass of the site. Fifteen campaigners managed to get into the inner compound stopping work for some time. Six people were arrested.

Work at Shell's proposed refinery site at Bellanaboy was interupted for the second day running today with 30 protesters engaging in a trespass of the site this morning. The protesters gained access to the site from the north side, making their way towards the inner compound with the intention of entering the compond, necessitating work to be stopped on health and safety grounds. Fifteen people managed to get into the inner compound, traversing a spiked metal fence. The incursion resulted in the temporary halting of work on site. Security personel responed to protesters in an agressive manner. Gardai were quickly called and six people were arrested and taken to Belmullet Garda station. Five of the six were subsequenly released without charge. The six protester, a Polish citizen, was required by Gardai to produce certain identification papers. It is expected that he will be shortly released. Campaigners are maintaing a presence outside the Garda station.

Photographs and more details to follow.