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Caution for man in gas pipeline protest
A SHEFFIELD man was released with a police caution after mounting a balcony protest at the Irish Embassy in London over plans for a gas pipeline.
The 26-year-old climbed on to the balcony of the ambassador's office at the Embassy to protest against a controversial Shell gas pipeline in north Co Mayo.
He initially refused to leave but was eventually talked down by police.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "A 26-year-old male was questioned under Section 9 of the Criminal Law Act, 1977, for trespassing on a diplomatic premises.
"Following questioning, he was released with a caution."
Scotland Yard confirmed no criminal damage to the Embassy, in Grosvenor Place, was recorded.
The protester is believed to be a British national with an address in Sheffield.
Up to 10 members of a group calling themselves the Rossport Solidarity Camp handed out leaflets to passers-by during the hour-long incident which began at midday.
A spokesman for the Irish Foreign Affairs Department in Dublin said: "He unfurled a banner with the words 'Shell To Sea' written on it. He refused requests to leave by Embassy staff. The police were called who then talked him down. He exited through the Embassy building shortly after 1pm. He was arrested by police."
Protesters have waged a two-year campaign against a high-pressure gas pipeline being built by Shell in Rossport in Co Mayo.
They want Shell Ireland to build its terminal in the sea rather than inland near their homes. Five local residents were jailed for 96 days by the Irish High Court in 2005 for blocking work on the project.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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