The Mayo News

Shell’s headaches due to the Corrib gas project are far from over, no matter where and when the damaged Solitaire is repaired.

Corrib clashes reach gale force


SOLITAIRE DIFFICULTIES
Áine Ryan


SHELL’S headaches due to the Corrib gas project are far from over, no matter where and when the damaged pipe-laying vessel the Solitaire is repaired.
The Mayo News understands that maritime law may have to be changed to facilitate the subsea pipe-laying process which has, in part, been impeded by the refusal of licensed crab fisherman, Pat O’Donnell, to give way to various Shell-contracted vessels.
The Solitaire – berthed in Killybegs last night – is expected to sail to Rotterdam within the next 48 hours for repairs. According to a Shell spokeswoman, a ten-to-12-metre section of the end of the Stinger – weighing 40 tonnes – became detached from the vessel while working in Broadhaven Bay last week.
“Pipe-lay operations are currently suspended and we are carrying out an assessment of the damage to the Solitaire. Until the assessment is complete it is too early to say whether the repairs can be carried out in Killybegs or not,” said Susan Shannon at the weekend. She said last night there was no further update available.
Shortly after the arrival of the world’s largest pipe-laying vessel last Tuesday, Pat O’Donnell, and his son Jonathan, were arrested under the Public Order Act by the Garda Water Unit, brought to Belmullet Garda Station and released without charge a few hours later.
The following morning (Wednesday), The Chief, as he is known locally, and his son were arrested again at 8am, as they stood guard over their fishing gear in Broadhaven Bay. They were held in custody for a few hours and released again without charge at 2pm.
Coincidentally, this was precisely the same time as a High Court  judge in  Dublin was about to hear an Article 40 application, under the Constitution, to allow an inquiry into Mr O’Donnell’s detention. Mr O’Donnell has not been arrested since.
“Some weeks ago, we wrote to Shell’s legal representatives and asked them on what legal basis, if any, were they planning to interfere with our client’s property. To date we have not received a satisfactory answer,” said Simon McGarr yesterday.
In response to McGarr, Shell solicitors, McCann Fitzgerald, had cited ministerial consents and the Marine Notices of the pipe-laying works.
“Neither of these documents is a legal basis for interfering with my clients’ pots. We have not had any legal basis cited to us” said Mr McGarr.
A Marine Notice holds no statutory powers, The Mayo News has been advised.
Ironically, the Solitaire – twice the length of Croke Park – was due also to lay the pipes for the project six years ago (2002) also but works were suspended after An Bord Pleanála sought additional information about the refinery at Bellanaboy.
Owners of the Solitaire, a Swiss company, Allseas, sought more than €31 million compensation for the suspension of works at the time. Shell has declined to confirm how much the Corrib Gas Partners ultimately paid to Allseas, saying it was ‘commercially confidential’.
The company also declined to comment on whether the possible suspension of the pipe-laying programme for 2008 would also lead to another compensation pay-out.
However, Ms Shannon did confirm a compensation package agreed with the Errris Inshore Fishermen’s Association (EIFA) last month would still be paid this year.

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