THE SUNDAY TIMES (UK): Farmers try to halt Mayo gas pipeline
June 12, 2005
Scott Millar
MAYO farmers have formed an unusual alliance with left-wing activists in a bid to obstruct the construction of Shell’s Corrib gas pipeline.
The landowners received training in protest tactics a month ago from the veteran demonstrators, who are also opposed to the project on environmental grounds.
Work on the pipeline, which will consist of 10 kilometres overground and another 70 kilometres offshore, had been due to start this weekend but was stopped by members of the local community. Seven farmers whose land is subject to a compulsory purchase order say they would rather go to jail than hand over their land.