The majority of gas customers in Galway and Mayo can expect to have their service restored to normal by Sunday afternoon.

That’s according to a Gas Networks Ireland spokesperson.

Customers in Galway and Mayo are being urged to turn off their gas supply at the valve in their meter box until further notice, after a quantity of odourless gas entered the network.

Gas Networks Ireland crews have been working throughout the night to remove the odourless gas from the network.  Testing is continuing at installations throughout the region to monitor odour levels as they return to normal. The primary objective is to restore gas to all affected customers in the region as quickly as possible, while ensuring at all times that safety is their first priority. The process of restoring all customers is likely to take most of the weekend, however supply will be restored on a phased basis, as odour levels return along the network. 

They are asking customers not to turn back on their gas supply until they are advised that it is safe to do so.  

Gas Networks Ireland is keeping natural gas customers informed directly by text, through social media, our website and through print and broadcast media.   We are directly engaging with registered vulnerable customers in the region to ensure that their specific needs are met. 

Shell E&P Ireland confirmed yesterday evening that a quantity of odourless gas had entered the Gas Networks Ireland network. Natural gas is odourless but a smell is added for safety purposes.

In a statement to Midwest News a spokesperson for Shell E&P Ireland said that work is ongoing to remove the un-odourised gas at the Bellanaboy Bridge Gas Terminal in a safe and controlled manner, via the on-site flare. Flaring began yesterday morning at around 7am and continued throughout last night and into today. The spokesperson said all operations at the Bellanaboy Bridge Gas Terminal are operating safely and Shell E&P Ireland has informed the necessary authorities and is working with Gas Networks Ireland to resolve the issue.

A spokesperson for Gas Networks Ireland told Midwest News in a statement that gas customers in Galway City, Tuam, Headford, Ballinrobe, Claremorris, Castlebar, Westport, Crossmolina and Ballina should turn off their supply at the valve in their meter box until further notice. Gas Networks Ireland said it is recommending this action because in the unlikely event of a leak, customers in these locations only will be unable to smell gas in the current circumstances.