Dublin Shell to Sea

The campaign so far

The campaign against Shell’s inland refinery and high-pressure pipeline near Rossport in Co Mayo has been long and extraordinary, inspiring communities everywhere. Local residents began their campaign in 2000, adopting the name Shell to Sea in early 2005. Tactics have ranged from High Court actions, planning objections and lobbying politicians to grassroots campaigning and civil disobedience.

Gas was discovered in the Corrib field, 80km west of Co Mayo, in 1996. An experimental, cost-saving method for bringing this gas ashore was proposed: instead of processing gas at sea, as is standard practice worldwide, the plan was to lay an extremely high-pressure pipeline to carry raw, odourless gas through the village of Rossport to a refinery built on a shifting bog.

Despite local opposition, Mayo Co Council granted planning permission for the refinery in 2001. Residents appealed to An Bord Pleanála, which agreed with residents’ concerns and overturned the permission in 2002, describing the proposed location as “the wrong site”. However, following meetings between Shell executives, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and An Bord Pleanála, Shell re-applied and were granted permission for the same location.

In June 2005, six residents refused Shell access to their land to work on the pipeline route. Shell responded by asking the High Court to jail five of them, which it did – for 94 days. People across Ireland were outraged by the jailings, leading to major protests and the release of the ‘Rossport Five’.

Shell pressed on with construction. After years of fighting through the planning process and getting nothing but jail sentences in return, in 2005 residents began engaging in civil disobedience. They halted construction of the refinery for more than a year by peacefully blocking the site entrance. In autumn 2006, Gardaí began breaking up these peaceful protests, throwing residents into ditches, beating them, verbally abusing and threatening them.

Shocked at the Garda violence, people from all over Ireland came to Erris to stand alongside the residents. Human rights groups around the world condemned the policing of the protests. The San Francisco-based Global Community Monitor published a report stating: “that the behaviour of the gardai in Mayo is endangering the safety of people participating in non-violent protests as well as consistently infringing on their civil rights.”

In 2007, one of the Rossport Five, Willie Corduff, was awarded the Goldman Prize, the world’s biggest environmental prize given to an individual. The prize founder said of that year’s winners: “Their commitment in the face of great personal risk inspires us all to think more critically about what ordinary people can do to make a difference.”

In the summer of 2008, Shell made its first attempt to bring the pipeline ashore, and Gardaí started making large-scale arrests of campaigners. Fisherman Pat O’Donnell, who continued to fish in Broadhaven Bay during the visit of the pipe-laying ship, The Solitaire, was arrested twice while working at sea. The Solitaire became damaged and was forced to withdraw before the winter storms.

Shell and the Irish State used the winter to prepare a new attempt to get the pipeline ashore. Local school principal Maura Harrington was jailed twice. In April 2009, Willie Corduff was beaten by masked men inside Shell’s compound and required hospitalisation. And in June Pat O’Donnell’s boat was boarded and sunk by four masked and armed men.

Many more have been arrested while protesting at the landfall site on Glengad Beach. When the Solitaire returned in June 2009, 300 gardaí were deployed, along with 200 private security staff, two Irish Navy gunboats and an Air Force plane. Despite this huge show of force by the State, protests continued and construction work was halted several times. Now the most difficult stage of the experimental gas pipeline lies ahead for Shell, when they try to force it through the village of Rossport itself.

The above text comes from the Dublin Shell to Sea 'All the facts' leaflet.  If you'd like copies of that leaflet to distribute contact us at [email protected] or at  086-7362417

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Minister Ray Burke, against the advice of senior officials in his department, held a meeting on his own with the oil companies after which the terms and conditions previously attached to licenses were changed dramatically in favour of the companies.

1992: Minister Bobby Molloy, after being lobbied again by the oil companies, reduced the oil/gas tax rate to 25%, the lowest in the world. 100% write -offs were introduced for the oil companies and so-called "Frontier Licenses" were introduced that allowed the oil companies up to 20 years to hold a license on a particular offshore block, i.e. a designated drilling location.

October, 1996: Corrib field is discovered by Enterprise Oil 70km off Mayo coast in over 349 metres of water, with the gas field a further 3,500 metres below sea level.

October, 2000: Bord Gais outlines plans to construct pipeline from North Mayo to Craughwell, Co. Galway, on behalf of the Corrib co-venturers—Enterprise, Statoil and Marathon.

November, 2000: Enterprise Energy Ireland (E.E.I.) applies for planning permission for an onshore terminal for Corrib at Bellanaboy, North Mayo.

January, 2001: Mayo Co. Council seeks more information from E.E.I. after local concerns are raised.

April, 2001: E.E.I. submits a new planning application for the onshore terminal.

June, 2001: Mayo Co. Council seeks further information on the second planning application for the onshore terminal.

July, 2001: E.E.I. sumits this further information. Meanwhile, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr. Frank Fahey, hosts a public meeting on offshore licensing aspects of Corrib in Geesala, Co. Mayo.

August 3rd, 2001: Mayo Co. Council grants planning permission for the onshore terminal, with conditions. This is immediately appealed to An Bord Pleanála by residents and environmental groups.

August 24th, 2001: Minister Fahey, during a debate on Corrib gas, tells the Humbert Summer School in Ballina that the objectors are holding up progress in the west.

October, 2001: The Minister for the Marine denies claims made in the Dáil by Mayo Fine Gael TD, Michael Ring, that he has been interfering in the planning process in relation to the Corrib project.

2001 Budget, 25% Corporation Tax was reduced to 16.5% which will finally be reduced to 12.5% at the behest of the oil industry!

November 16th, 2001: Mr. Fahey issues a petroleum lease for Corrib gas field—the first new production lease in the last 30 years.

November 21st, 2001: E.E.I. submits new environmental impact statement to the Department of Marine and Natural Resources in support of application to construct a natural gas pipeline from sub-sea facilities to the terminal at Bellanaboy bridge. The company also applies for approval of its plan of development, a foreshore licence, and consent to construct the pipeline.

February, 2002: An Bord Pleanála opens its oral hearing in Ballina on the appeal against planning permission for the onshore terminal.

April, 2002: Mr. Fahey publishes Marine Licence Vetting Committee report which approved granting foreshore lease to Corrib project, with conditions.

May, 2002: Foreshore licence granted by Minister Fahey to E.E.I. shortly before he leaves office.

June, 2002: An Bord Pleanála requests further information on the onshore terminal application from E.E.I., now owned by Shell, and raises concerns about health and safety

July, 2002: Managing Director of E.E.I., Mr. Brian Ó Cáthain, resigns and is replaced by Mr. Andy Pyle, formerly of Shell.

September, 2002: E.E.I. submits further information to An Bord Pleanála and denies reports that it may “abandon” the Corrib field.

November, 2002: An Bord Pleanála holds unprecedented second oral hearing into the E.E.I. terminal application. The two oral hearings have now lasted 22 days, making them the second longest in the board’s history.

December, 2002: E.E.I. and former Minister Fahey deny claims in a Channel 4 news report that “huge pressure” was exerted on Mayo Co. Council’s planning office to grant permission for the controversial terminal. E.E.I. also refutes a suggestion that it has chosen a highly dangerous route for the 8km pipeline from the seashore to the termainl at Bellanaboy.

March, 2003: E.E.I. again denies claims that it intends to “plug” the Corrib Field for a period of 20 years.

April, 2003: An Bord Pleanála overturns Mayo Co. Council’s decision to grant planning permission for the gas terminal. E.E.I. expresses disappointment with the outcome and announces that it is now considering the future of the Corrib gas project.

September, 2003: Enterprise Energy Ireland announces that it intends to submit a new planning application to Mayo County Council for an onshore gas terminal.

December, 2003: A new planning application is submitted by E.E.I., now known as Shell E&P Ireland. It includes revised plans for the removal of large quantities of peat from the terminal site.

February, 2004: Former civil servant and ‘Irish Man of the Twentieth Century’, Mr TK Whitaker, expresses concerns over the plans for an onshore Corrib gas terminal. Mr Whitaker owns a holiday home in Bangor.

March, 2004: Mayo County Council requests further information from the company on a number of issues pertaining to the application. The information is submitted within weeks.

April, 2004: Mayo County Council grants planning permission subject to a total of 75 conditions. Objectors immediately indicate that they intend to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála.

October, 2004: Shell is granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála for the Bellanaboy gas terminal. The company announces that work will commence immediately. Residents say they are disgusted with the decision.

January, 2005: Preparatory work for the removal of peat from the terminal site begins at Bangor. Shell publishes details of a traffic management plan for the duration of the work.

April, 2005: Proceedings are instituted in the High Court to prevent residents obstructing the construction of the gas pipeline at Rossport. The High Court grants Shell the right to access private lands in the village for the installation of the pipeline. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Shell employed a company of which it is a substantial shareholder to conduct an ‘independent’ audit of the pipeline’s safety.

June, 2005: Five residents from Rossport are jailed for contempt of court for refusing to obey the High Court order not to interfere with the construction of the Corrib gas pipeline. The men vow to stay in prison until they get justice.

Families and supporters of the Rossport Five commence round the clock picketing at Rossport, Bellinaboy and Glengad: Shell pipeline sites in Mayo.

July, 2005: National rallies held in support of the Rossport Five in Castlebar, Belmullet, Ballina, Dublin.

Natural Resources Minister Noel Dempsey orders a further safety review of the Corrib Gas pipeline with a view to ending the standoff between Shell and local residents in Co Mayo.

Minister Dempsey said Marine and Natural Resources Dept officials had carried out an inspection at the Shell onshore site and subject to further legal advice, it was his view that a serious breach of the consents given to Shell in relation to the pipeline had occurred. He ordered Shell to dismantle three kilometres of gas pipeline that it had assembled in north Mayo.

August, 2005: Marine and Natural Resources Minister, Noel Dempsey, granted Shell permission to lay the 75 kilometres of pipeline from the Corrib Field to the North Mayo coastline.

Shell E&P Ireland defers laying the offshore pipeline for the Corrib gas project until 2006. Shell said the temporary suspension ''will not materially affect the project's completion schedule'', and will ''allow for a period of discussion and dialogue''.

Shell announces that it is to lay off 128 workers at the Corrib gas pipeline in Co Mayo. National rally in support of the Rossport 5 held in Galway. Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey announces a further safety review.

September, 2005: Family and supporters visit Norway and meet Statoil and public representatives. Rossport Five appear before Mr Justice Finnegan in the High Court.

30 September, 2005: Shell drops temporary injunction. High Court President Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan releases the men.

1 October, 2005: Thousands rally in support of Rossport Five in Dublin.

12 October, 2005: A two-day public consultation organised by the Department of the Marine is held in Geesala, Co. Mayo

25 October, 2005: Rossport Five appear before Mr Justice Finnegan in the High Court

31 October, 2005: The Minister announced that he had appointed Mr Peter Cassells, a former general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, to mediate between Shell E&P and the Rossport residents

Feb 17 2006 - Shell HQ in Dublin blockaded as part of national and international day of action

April 2006 - Rossport Solidarity Camp re-opens

Monday April 10 2006 - Shell to Sea block entry of Shell machinery at Bellanaboy

26 September - first attempt by Gardai to break pickets of Shell's construction site at Bellanboy fails

Tuesday October 3rd 2006 - Hundreds of Gardai brought into Erris to force Shell construction through in what is referred to as the effective occupation of the Bellanaboy area at the cost of millions of euro.

Nov 8 - Shell to Sea activists disrupt minister Dempsey at oil bosses conference in Dublin.

Fri Nov 10 2006 - Many injuries as Gardai baton charge protesters to force Shell convoy through, later the officer in charge would boast in the Gardai Review of how this was part of their no arrest strategy

Feb 16 - 100 enter Shell refinery construction site at Bellanboy

Feb 24 2007 - National Shell to Sea demonstration in Dublin

March 22 - Sixty Shell to Sea protesters entered the proposed refinery site at Bellanboy

March 27 - Shell HQ in Dublin occupied to protest at gas giveaway

Friday April 13 - Six arrests in Ballinaboy As 30 Enter Shell Site

April 21 - Willie Corduff wins Goldman Environmental prize

27 April - Shell HQ in Dublin blockaded by Shell to Sea from early morning.

18 May - Shell HQ in Dublin again blockaded by Shell to Sea from early morning.

Tuesday June 5th 2007 - Lock on in front of Shell’s peat deposit site in Mayo.

June 11/12 - Gardai violently removed protesters attempting to stop the illegal instalment of a Shell portacabin on the land of publican Paddy McGrath near Pollathomais

14 June 2007 - Following several years of campaigning with Shell to Sea, Green Party TD Eamonn Ryan is appointed to the ministry with responsibility for the Corrib Gas project.

July 2007 - Global Community Monitor (GCM) Report Slams Garda Abuse in Mayo

Weds October 24 2007 - Shell 2 Sea stop Shell drilling on the Special Area of Conservation at Glengad

Weds December 19 2007 - Shell of Sea protesters scale ministers office building for a banner drop reading 'Protect Irish Natural Resource'

22 July 2008 - 13 arrested at they try and halt construction of Shell compound at Glengad.

16 August 2008 - Rossport Solidarity Camp re-opens ahead of Shell's pipe laying operations

Thursday August 21st - 8 arrested as they attempt to halt pipe laying preparation, lives put under threat by the failure to halt construction despite the presence of people in hte ater nearby

September 2008: Solitaire arrives to begin pipe laying operations but the pipe laying apparatus becomes damaged and the ship withdraws halting construction for a year.

4th September - 8 arrested as Kayaks attempt to halt pipe laying preparation in Broadhaven bay

9th September - Solitaire arrives in Broadhaven bay.  Maura Harrington begins hunger strike, Pat O'Donnell arrested to prevent him fishing the bay.

11th September - Solitaire forced to withdraw from Broadhaven bay after its pipe laying appartus became damaged.  The previousday several people had been arrested while blocking roads and Pat O'Donell and his son had been arrested again to prevent them fishing the bay.

18 September 2008 - Solitaire forced to withdraw from Irish waters bringing a halt to the pipeline laying until the following summer.

11th March - Maura Harrington jailed for 30 days for resisting Shell.  Dublin Shell to Sea supporters attempt to stop the prison van carrying her into Mountjoy prison.  Solidarity protests held at the prison over the 30 days,.

April 1st-3rd Nets Shell erect to prevent Sand Martin's nesting at Glengad repeatedly removed by community.

Thursday April 13th - Willie Corduff attacked and hospitalised by several masked men in the dead of night while under a lorry at the Shell compound

April 16th - Michael Dwyer killed in Bolivia.  He had gone to Bolivia as part of a group that included four others who had worked with him as security at the Shell compound in Bolivia.

Sunday April 26 - community unite to remove nets Shell had placed at the compound to stop Sand Martin's being able to enter their nexts.

Saturday May 9th - attempt to dismantle Shell's illegal compound ends in several arrests

Thursday May 14th - Tripods used to halt Shell construction on Glengad beach.

Monday May 18th - Maura Harrington again jailed for resisting Shell, prison van carrying her into Mounjoy prison is blocked by Dublin Shell to Sea protesters for 20 minutes.

June 5-8th: Dredging work in Broadhaven bay repeatedly stopped by protesters boarding the dredger.  Gardai eventually destroy the protesters inflatable boats with knives as they had the previous summer.

June 11th At 2am on Thursday morning, Pat O'Donnell's boat the 'Iona Isle' was boarded by four masked men and sunk out at sea

June - New York cases results in release of Secret papers which 'show how Shell targeted Nigeria oil protests'

June 24 - Pat & Jonathan O'Donnell Arrested and Boats Commandeered by Gardai As Solitaire's Arrival Imminent Irish Navy ships in Broadhaven bay and internements as the Solitarie arrives

June 24 - In the light of events Marathon loses their nerve and sells their Corrib stake to  Vermillion as the Solitarie arrives

June 28 - With the Solitaire in Broadhaven bay A Tripod, A Lock-On And A Compound Infiltration

June 29 - In an escalation of the repression of protests during the Solitaire visit 7 Shell to sea protestors imprisoned on very minor public order charges and refused bail

September 9th - Maura Harrington jailed for 4th time in a year for resisting Shell

Monday 28 September - courts throw out many of the cases against those arrested and held without bail to repress protests during the Solitaires pipe laying operation

Weds 21st October - Digger occupation halts work in Special Area of Conservation for 6 hours.

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