Activists opposed to NI exploratory oil well face restrictions

Anti-drilling protesters will face being banned from an exploratory oil well site in Co Antrim if they block work getting underway, a High Court judge warned on Wednesday.

The company behind the project at Woodburn Forest near Carrickfergus is seeking an injunction to stop alleged trespassing and obstruction.

With contractors due on the site on Thursday morning, lawyers for InfraStrata claimed any disruption will have financial consequences for a project costing £8,000 (€10,300) a day.

But Lord Justice Girvan adjourned the legal action until after the workmen have moved in.

“If access has been obstructed your argument for an injunction becomes unanswerable,” he told counsel for the firm.

Proceedings were issued against 10 people named on legal papers after a notice was issued for protesters to vacate the site on Tuesday.

The Stop the Drill campaign group is opposing a controversial borehole to search for oil and gas in the area, saying it is part of the catchment for a reservoir supplying water to homes in Belfast and Carrick.

They claim chemicals used in the drill process could leach into the water table.

But Northern Ireland Water, which leased the site to InfraStrata, insists the project will not compromise the supply.

Groundwater will also be protected by measures including the drill shaft being encased in steel and concrete, according to the firm.

Earlier this week Mid and East Antrim Council approved a waste management plan – effectively paving the way for four months of work on the site to begin.

In court barrister John Maxwell, for InfraStrata, said a protest camp has been in operation since last month.

He claimed groups of up to 25 people gathered during earlier, preliminary stages in the project.

Private land

At one stage cars were used to block off the entrance to the site, he claimed.

Mr Maxwell argued that his client has a right of way on private land and was only taking the minimal step of an injunction at this stage.

“If we are forced we will sue for damages and we will use the criminal law,” he said.

Michael Lavery, representing some of the 10 defendants, predicted potential for legal challenge to the lawfulness of the licensing process around the project.

Denying that his clients had either trespassed or caused obstruction, he said: “They are not some lunatic fringe, they are responsible people.”

Mr Lavery argued that campers, hikers and other members of the public all have a right to access the forest park.

And he claimed that it was a world-first attempt to drill in a water catchment area.

“There’s not only local concern, this has attracted international concern,” he told the court.

“There are grave, grave reservations about what is going on here.”

Mr Lavery said questions remain over permission to divert drainage.

“There’s concern the drinking water will be polluted. This reservoir supplies drinking water to more than 130,000 people,” he added.

Following submissions, however, Lord Justice Girvan put the case on hold to see what happens on Thursday morning.