Corrib campaigners under scrutiny, Shell to Sea claims

SHELL TO Sea says it has received “further evidence” of monitoring of campaigners opposed to the Corrib gas project by a private…

SHELL TO Sea says it has received “further evidence” of monitoring of campaigners opposed to the Corrib gas project by a private security company.

The group has released scans of pages from two notebooks, which it says comprises notes taken by security staff employed by Integrated-Risk Management Services (I-RMS). I-RMS is employed by Shell EP Ireland and Corrib gas developers on the project.

The notebooks with records dated between April and June 2010 included names of campaigners, and a reference to a “covert camera”.

Glengad resident Eamon Murphy was one of four people listed in the notebooks.

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“For two days this week I-RMS have been over at Glenamoy cross-roads stopping traffic with not a garda in sight,” Mr Murphy said.

Supt Pat Diskin of Belmullet station said that a number of gardaí were on duty at Glenamoy crossroads while works were being carried out at the junction.

I-RMS said it operated “to the highest standards, acting responsibly and proportionally at all times”.

Shell EP Ireland said yesterday it was “regrettable that security is required on the project to protect workers and equipment, but ongoing protester activity – frequently aggressive and involving people from outside the local community – and the continuing threat of vandalism makes it necessary.

“Shell EP Ireland Limited is satisfied that I-RMS carries out this challenging work professionally and respectfully.”

Lorna Siggins

Lorna Siggins

Lorna Siggins is the former western and marine correspondent of The Irish Times