An attempt to secure the release of the five Co Mayo men jailed earlier this week for contempt of court will come before the High Court next Wednesday.
Solicitor Greg Casey is claiming that the ministerial consents for installation of the Corrib gas pipeline are invalid, and in those circumstances he asked for leave to apply to the court to discharge the court order made last April.
Today, three of the five men, brothers Philip and Vincent McGrath and Willie Corduff, agreed in the High Court not to obstruct a road leading to the gas terminal depot at Rossport.
The court dismissed proceedings against them on that ground; they were facing the prospect of a second jail sentence for contempt of court.
They remain in jail for refusing to obey the terms of a separate order restraining obstruction of the construction of the pipeline passing through their own lands.
A crowd of family and supporters protested outside the Four Courts today, chanting ‘Free the Rossport Five’ as the three men arrived for the proceedings.
In court the three men represented themselves and were told by Mr Justice Finnegan they had three options.
They could submit on affidavit why they believed they were not in contempt, they could apologise to the court and undertake not to continue to breach the court order or they could take the consequences of their actions.
All three men denied they had blocked the road in recent weeks and agreed not to block the road in the future.
But the three men and two others, James P Philbin and Micheál Ó Seighin, remain in jail.
Mr Justice Finnegan allowed Mr Casey to bring the application to discharge the April order and he put the case down for mention next Wednesday.
He added that the bringing of the application to discharge the order could provide the circumstances where the five men could purge their contempt.
Otherwise, the President of the High Court remarked, they could remain in prison for a very long time.
IFA head to discuss row
The IFA President John Dillon was to visit the Rossport/Bellanaboy area this afternoon for discussion on the Corrib gas row with local farmers.
So far the IFA has made no comment on the dispute or the jailing of five local landowners and retired school teachers who are opposing the pipeline.
About 100 people are taking part in a second day of protest at the site.
The demonstrators are demanding that the terminal be located offshore and that preparatory work on the laying of a controversial gas pipeline to the terminal be halted.
They are also calling for the release of the five who are still in prison for contempt of a High Court Order.
Other demonstrations are planned for Castlebar, Bangor Erris and Belmullet this weekend.
