Protest in Belmullet supports five men in prison over dispute with Shell and the location of a gas pipeline.
Almost two thousand people have demonstrated in Belmullet, north Mayo, in protest at the location of the Corrib Gas Terminal at Ballinaboy. The protestors demonstrated their support for the five men from Rossport who are in prison for contempt of court in their dispute with Shell. The five were jailed 11 days ago and are being detained at Clover Hill Prison. Families of the five men are determined to continue their campaign until the men are released.
The demonstration also called on Shell to suspend construction work on a terminal at Ballinaboy. The protesters want the terminal relocated offshore.
Protester Niall Harnett said that a renegotiation of the deal with Shell Ireland is needed in favour of the Irish people.
What was ours, the Corrib gas field, isn't ours anymore.
Another protester, Sean Mac Andreu, is in Belmullet to support the Rossport Five and raise awareness of people's concerns.
The demonstration continued as a convoy of over 100 cars travelled from Belmullet to the Shell terminal construction site in Ballinaboy where another demonstration was held.
Protest organisers say that more demonstrations are planned for Mayo and around the country over the coming week.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 9 July 2005. The reporter is Irene Mitchell.
