Four people were arrested for public order offences today close to energy giant Shell’s controversial new gas terminal in Co Mayo.
Gardaí said two women and a man, all in their 20s, were detained shortly at 2pm after blocking a back road close to the site in Broadhaven Bay. Another man was arrested later today over the same incident.
The four are being held in Ballina and will appear before a special sitting of the District Court in the town tomorrow.
A massive security operation was under way throughout the weekend as work on the final stages of the bitterly disputed gas refinery took place.
The arrival of the world's largest pipe-laying ship, the Solitaire, outside the bay sparked fears of a repeat of sea and land clashes which marred a similar attempt to complete the contentious works last year.
Two Irish Navy vessels, as many as 300 Garda officers and private security guards were drafted into Glengad, in north Mayo, as tensions rose between protesters and authorities.
However gardaí said today’s incident was the only trouble experienced throughout the weekend.
PA