Anocht ar a 8 ar RTÉ One, The campaign group, Shell to Sea, forms part of the story of one of rural Ireland's longest running disputes - between Shell and the local people of North West Mayo- Corrib Gas
One of rural Ireland's longest running disputes, Corrib Gas caused huge divisions between the developers – Shell and local people in North West Mayo, protesting at the companies plans to build an onshore terminal at Bellanaboy. A high pressure pipeline to bring the gas ashore proved to be one of the most controversial aspects and gave rise to the campaign group, Shell to Sea.
"The most striking feature, looking back, was the utter failure of the developer to consult meaningfully with the local community". (Mark Garavan, Spokesperson, Shell to Sea)
The small Gaeltacht community of Erris was torn apart in this bitter battle which divided opinions locally. Shell invested over €8 million in local projects to gain support for the project. One of the projects it supported to the tune of €500,000 was the development of facilities at Belmullet GAA club.
"Am deacair a bhí ann sa cheantair. Bhí nimh ann cinnte, ach níor ghlac CLG páirt in aon chuid de sin. An t-aon fheidhm a bhí againn i gcónaí ná dhá páirc peile agus clubtheach a fhorbairt d’aos óg an cheantair agus d’fhan muid amach as an trioblóid ar fad". (Seán Ó Gallachóir, Iar Chathaoirleach, CLG Béal a Mhuirthead)
A huge security presence was a feature of daily life for over a decade, with over €16 million spent by the State on policing the site.
"This was an area with the lowest crime rates in the State. You then have a situation where people were being arrested for public order offences, people were appearing in court, people who never had so much as a parking fine were now getting criminal records". (Lorna Siggins, Author "Once Upon a Time in the West")
Five men were eventually jailed in June 2006. These men became known as "The Rossport Five".
"Bhí sé an-deacair, ach bhí an t-ádh orainn, bhí muid uilig mar chlann taobh thiar de mo Dhaid, bhí a fhios againn go raibh sé ag déanamh an rud ceart, sin an bealach gur tógadh muid, seas suas don rud atá ceart".
(Bríd Ní Sheighin, Daughter of Mícheal Ó Seighin, Rossport Five)
SCANNAL - anocht ag 8pm @RTEOne Scéal conspóideach "Shell to Sea" Bígí Linn @EibhlnNChongha2@ConallOM@lornasiggins@markgaravan@NiSheighin@BelmulletGaa@scannan@Darainemul pic.twitter.com/nqBY6tf3go
— RTÉ_Scannal (@RTE_Scannal) April 28, 2020
Completed in 2014 at a cost of €3.5 billion, the Corrib gas terminal at Bellanaboy is the single biggest investment by a private company in the history of the State. Tucked away in a vast forrest between Bangor Erris and Belmullet, the terminal now processes up to 60% of Ireland’s natural gas. With billions of euro worth of gas now flowing through the terminal, SCANNAL looks back at one of the most controversial developments in the history of the Irish State.
"Cinnte dearfa is féidir an milleán a chur ar Shell – go raibh siad uaibhreach sa bhealach go raibh siad ag déileáil le daoine, ach, cuireadh ó dhoras ar bhealach éigean iad agus do chosann sé sin airgead orainne, orthu siud, agus ar an tír, b’fhéidir go mbeadh fonn ar Shell a bheith ag druileáil in áiteanna eile dá mbeadh muid tar éis déileáil leo ar bhealach níos fearr".
Anocht ar a 8, ar RTÉ One.
