ROSSPORT: NOT BORED YET

The Rossport anti-shell actions continue, with the focus on the Sruwaddacon estuary - the special conservation site Shell intend to destroy by building a tunnel right through the middle. This is all part of their revised plan for bringing in gas from the newly developed Corribos gas fields off the west coast of Ireland.

The Beat the Boreholes campaign crew (SchNEWS 730) have been making a constant nuisance of themselves. This week saw more activists and members of the local community taking walks through the site – to enjoy its pleasures one last time before it is industrialised, presumably – whilst more kayakers have been taking to the high seas. Eight boats were swiftly confronted by around 15 security boats, although no death threats were issued this time (see SchNEWS 731).

Anyone willing to contribute or act as a legal / human rights observer is welcome as Beat the Boreholes continues. They’re certainly not relying on next month’s five-week public hearing, ostensibly to consider the environmental impact of the latest incarnation of the plan, and definitely not an exercise in greenwash rubber-stamping, but then again - yer never know!

*For a great background summary of ‘the story so far’ – including dodgy deals, a decade of delays, skullduggery and the shady ‘Bolivian connection’ - see www.shelltosea.com/content/battle-rages-ireland-over-offshore-drilling