THE ESB are reviewing security at peat-burning power stations after Climate Camp Ireland protesters breached barriers at a number of midland stations at the weekend.
A spokesperson for the ESB said “security at ESB plants is a matter that is constantly under review”.
The ESB operate two of the plants targeted by protesters.
Two people were arrested during a protests at Lough Ree power station in Lanesborough, Co Longford.
The man and woman were among a group of Climate Camp protesters at the plant on Saturday morning when activists gained access to the plant.
Eight of the protesters chained themselves to a fence at the station.
Climate Camp Ireland activists also hung banners at a power station in Edenderry, Co Offaly, and from a water tower in Shannonbridge, Co Offaly.
The group, who are protesting at the burning of peat in power stations, have been camped in Shannonbridge since last Monday for Ireland’s first Climate Camp. The camp is a based on a similar event which takes place every year in the UK.
During the week Climate Camp eco-activists filled in bog drainage trenches and held peaceful protests at the gates of West Offaly Power in Shannonbridge.
Ten Garda cars and a significant Garda force monitored the situation in Shannonbridge on Saturday as the climate campers paraded through Shannonbridge with banners stating, “Climate Change Costs Lives” and “Bogs are our rainforests”.
A climate camp spokesman said the two activists arrested in Lanesborough were asked to make a €150 voluntary donation to the poor box before being released on Saturday.
Members of Climate Camp Ireland will meet during the year to decide on what issue to highlight during next year’s camp, the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) say they are considering taking a case against Bord na Móna through the European courts.
FIE director Tony Lowes claims a section of the 1945 Turf Development Act provides Bord na Móna with immunity from prosecution under the local government (Water Pollution) Act.
“There can be no doubt whatsoever that this section of the Turf Act infringes European environmental legislation. The European Commission has expressed concern that Ireland’s national laws are maintaining a system of parallel legislation that undermines the implementation of the Water Framework Directive and we would suggest this section of the Turf Act 1945 is just such a case.”