A scene from Aughoose in North Mayo where protests are taking place against ongoing works by ShellSHELL’S private security (IRMS) are currently standing side by side with members of An Garda Síochána to block the public road at Aughoose in north Mayo.

Yesterday (Monday) morning a group of 12 protesters converged on Shell’s compound at Aughoose to try and stop work.

But gardaí and IRMS security were successful in containing the protesters on the far side of the road opposite Shell’s compound.

 

Shell employ the private security company, Integrated Risk Management Services (I-RMS), headquarted in Naas, Co. Kildare, who now bring a force of up to 70 security guards to Aughoose village daily.

Roísín Ní Fhaolain, a spokesperson for Rossport Solidarity Camp, said: “The private security staff are policing the public road, though they have no jurisdiction to do so.

“These road blocks by private security are not part of Shell’s traffic management plan, which states that the road will remain open at all times.”

A garda spokesman denied that the private security company was closing roads.

However, roads and continued to be blocked, causing traffic jams and stopping cyclists and pedestrians from using the public road.