"Who's Been Stealing the Fishermen's Electricity?"

Friday February 20, 2009 15:44

by ShellWatcher

Contractors for Shell alledgedly install illegal power connection

Those good folks at Shell have made great attempts at becoming good neighbours down Belmullet way. Splashing out on local grants to community groups, and scholarships for local students, the intention is to undue [sic] some of the damage that was done to their reputation during the lengthy Rossport 5 dispute, and prepare for the laying of a high-pressure gas pipeline later this year.

Local fishermen in the area weren't too impressed to leam that someone had illegally tapped into an electricity supply at Ballyglass Pier, north of Belmullet. The electricity had been provided by Board lascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish Sea Fisheries Board so that a refrigerated container was on hand for fishing boats to keep their catch cool, until delivery could be organised.

Bellcross Enterprises Limited. Emlybeg Sth Belmullet Co. Mayo. (097)82449

The bill would usually run to €300 per quarter, but management were astounded to get a recent bill for €5,880. Questions were asked, and local fishermen were concerned that the service would be withdrawn given the much-increased cost.

On further investigation at Ballyglass, it was discovered that someone had illegally tapped into the supply, running a cable underground from the ESB meter at the pier. It has since been established that contractors acting on behalf of Shell had connected the cable without permission, and had stolen the electricity for the past nine months.

A BIM representative contacted Shell, who immediately offered to reimburse BIM for the total bill. Red-faced Shell management claimed that they had agreed to cover the cost of all electricity usage on the pier, but they didn't say whom they had agreed this with. A BIM spokesperson stated that Shell had agreed no such arrangement with them.

The Mayo Echo also understands that a complaint has been lodged with local Gardai, although it isn't known if Shell will be prosecuted for the theft. BIM confirmed that following a meeting with Shell, the service should remain in place for the foreseeable future, much to the relief of local fishermen. BIM are currently carrying out a safety audit of the electricity supply, to ensure there is no risk to local users of the supply following the illegal connection.

Pat Cowman, Bellcross Enterprises

Contractors at work at Ballyglass

save preference

Comments (2 of 2)

Another related article

Fri Feb 20, 2009 15:59

The Irish Times
Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Parish priest's concerns over Shell security
ÁINE RYAN

A PARISH priest in north Mayo claims he has been monitored by security personnel working for Shell at a location where work on the company's controversial Corrib gas project is ongoing.

The parish priest of Kilcommon, Fr Michael Nallen, alleged that his parishioners were "prisoners in their own area", and that the registration of his car had been noted.

He said he believed he had been photographed by security officials at Ballyglass harbour. However, he said he was not suggesting the personnel knew that he was a priest.

Shell confirmed they will investigate the priest's claims if he contacts the company and furnishes it with more details of his allegations.

"I saw them [ the security personnel] with small cameras, running around the security hut. As far as I could see in my mirror they took a photograph and noted my car registration," said Fr Nallen.

"It wouldn't be specifically because I am a priest," continued Fr Nallen, who ministers in an adjacent parish but regularly visits his sick mother in Ballyglass.

He observed that since the arrival of a Shell marine platform in Broadhaven Bay last May, he believed that security personnel based at the top of Ballyglass pier "appeared to be looking at cars" and "to be writing down registrations" even though it was "a public area".

"The specific incident I'm referring to happened about six weeks ago. But I pass that way a few times a week and they usually come out to the door [ of the security huts] when every vehicle passes by, and it would appear, I'm almost certain, that along with using binoculars, they write down the registration numbers," Fr Nallen said.

"This is a form of intimidation and harassment with photographs being taken," he added.

After a number of communications with Shell, spokesman Colin Joyce, said: "The details are so sketchy that we are not in a position to comment. If Fr Nallen has a complaint to make we would invite him to contact us directly so that we can investigate his concerns thoroughly."

It is understood that the issues will be brought to the attention of the Bishop of Killala, John Fleming.

Fr Nallen wrote, with two other priests, to Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan last November and proposed an alternative onshore location for the refinery.

Shell dismissed the proposal as unfeasible.

© 2008 The Irish Times