Protesters arrested resisting Shell at Glengad beach

mayo | environment | news report Thursday August 21, 2008 16:08 by BR

Garda patrol boats used to intercept protesters

A number of protesters have been arrested in Mayo resisting Shell contractors who have been trying to install pipeline infrastructure on Glengad beach.

Five people were reportedly arrested this morning and another three this afternoon.

It is unclear whether all those arrested have been charged under the Public Order Act or have simply been detained.

Shell has been working on the beach, which is a Special Area of Conservation, under a foreshore licence granted by Minister Mary Coughlan and permissions from Minister Eamon Ryan, even though they have yet to receive planning permission for the onshore section of their proposed pipeline.

Garda Water unit patrolling near Glengad last year

Last month, thirteen people were arrested on the beach at Glengad for protesting against this work.

The Minister for the Environment has yet to make a statement on the matter. At the weekend , an internal Shell report showed that the company had misled its own advisors in relation to the impact the work would have on protected habitats.

Some of those associated with the campaign against Shell have welcomed the fact the gardaí seem to have abandoned a previous policy of not arresting people and simply used brute force to stop protests.