A ROAD BETWEEN SHELL’S BALLINABOY REFINERY AND TUNNELLING COMPOUND AT AUGHOOSE IS BLOCKED DUE TO A PROTEST THIS AFTERNOON.

MIDWEST NEWS UNDERSTANDS THAT SHELL TO SEA CAMPAIGNERS PLACED A CEMENT FILLED BARREL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHICH IS JUST OFF THE R314, AT AROUND 7AM THIS MORNING.

TWO PEOPLE ARE LOCKED ONTO THIS BARREL AT THE MOMENT.

GARDAI SAY THAT THE ROAD IS CLOSED BECAUSE OF THE PROTEST AND ALL TRUCK DELIVERIES HAVE BEEN STOPPED BETWEEN THE TWO SITES. NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE.

A SHELL SPOKESPERSON SAYS THAT THEY HAVE NO COMMENT TO MAKE ON THE MATTER AT PRESENT.

CONSTRUCTION ON THE FINAL PHASE OF THE CORRIB GAS PROJECT BEGAN LAST WEEK AND A NUMBER OF PROTESTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE OVER THE LAST NUMBER OF DAYS.