Irish group protests outside MOX plant

Irish demonstrators have concluded their peaceful protest at the commissioning this morning of the MOX plant at Sellafield in Cumbria.

The Minister of State with responsibility for Nuclear Safety, Mr Joe Jacob, described the commissioning as "an act of supreme arrogance".

He added the Government's resolve to see that Sellafield shut had hardened. A spokesperson for the plant's owners - British Nuclear Fuels Limited - confirmed that plutonium was introduced into the MOX plant at 2.15 a.m.

More than 70 members of the group Gluaiseacht (movement) for Global Justice staged an eight-hour protest singing, chanting and beating drums outside the south gate at Sellafield.

There were no arrests although 12 members of the group briefly chained themselves to the gates. A police force of 70 officers observed the protest which began at 7 a.m.

Mr John Gormley, Green Party TD, who was with the protesters described Sellafield as the "number one issue for the people as we go into the election". Mr Gormley accused the Government of "pussy footing" around the issue and added that a lot more needs to be done.

He suggested Ireland construct a global coalition to put pressure on British Nuclear Fuels to "ensure this uneconomic plant is shut down".

Mr Gormley also raised fears about Sellafield being a possible target for a terrorist attack. "If Sellafield goes up in an attack, the prevailing wind will take it right to our country. I think today cannot be the end of it".

The mixed oxide (MOX) plant at Sellafield, Cumbria, will recycle used uranium and plutonium to produce fuel for power stations if it gets the go-ahead.

A spokesman for the plant said commissioning would only go ahead if permission was granted by the Nuclear Installation Inspectorate.

Gluaiseacht member, Ms Lorraine Rice, said today's protest was not in vain. "We were vocal and got across our objection to the plant. Gluaiseacht is a student-based group committed to raising awareness of environmental issues.

Mr Jack Allen, Head of Operations MOX, said the decision was "wonderful news for [Sellafield] . . . the best Christmas present we could have had."