Further protests at Shell site in north Mayo

There were angry scenes in north Mayo this morning as opponents of the Corrib gas project protested against work resuming at the controversial Shell gas terminal.

Several trucks taking workers to the site were prevented from accessing the site as protesters held a series of sit-down protests along the route

Tensions increased when a number of demonstrators who sat down on the Bellanaboy Bridge were removed by gardaí. The protesters then staged a number of sit-down protests further down the road before the trucks were allowed through.

Speaking to ireland.comthis afternoon, Mr Vincent McGrath, one of five men known as the Rossport Five who were jailed last year for their opposition to the pipeline, said the protest would continue and insisted that Shell 'don't know what they are dealing with.'

Asked if he felt today's actions by the gardaí were heavy-handed, Mr McGrath said he fely sympathy for the gardaí as they 'were in an unfortunate position.'

Referring to a statement issued today by Shell E&P Ireland which called for dialogue with opponents of the project, Mr McGrath said the company - which he described as 'intransigent' - was not interested in a resolution and had 'ruled out any change' to its original plan for the terminal.

The Rossport Five were jailed for contempt of court last year after they breached a High Court injunction taking out by Shell E&P against the protesters.

Brothers Philip and Vincent McGrath, Micheál Ó Seighín, Willie Corduff and Brendan Philbin spent 94 days in prison for refusing to purge their contempt and give an undertaking that they would not interfere with work on the pipeline.