SHELL EP Ireland was yesterday found in contempt of a District Court order.
The multinational company working on the Corrib gas pipeline project in north Mayo was found to have entered commonage in Rossport despite having been prohibited from doing so by the court order.
At previous court sittings evidence was given that Shell had applied to An Bord Pleanála for a compulsory acquisition order for lands under the Gas Act 1976.
In anticipation of the order, Shell said inspections of the lands were necessary. However, in November 2007 the court granted an order prohibiting Shell from entering the commonage until all the provisions of the Gas Act were complied with. Shell did not appeal the order.
At a court sitting in Ballina, Judge Mary Devins said the court order was specific in its terms that Shell was prohibited from entering on to common lands at Rossport until the provisions of the Act was complied with.
The matter was adjourned for sentencing to Westport District Court on September 17th.