Shale gas exploration begins in Fermanagh

Sian Cowman

...writes a short account of the activities surrounding current shale gas exploration in Fermanagh, and the strong local resistance.

Since Australian company Tamboran moved their equipment onto a piece of land outside the village of Belcoo, Co. Fermanagh, there has been staunch local opposition. Tamboran are planning to take rock samples to test the viability of shale gas in the area. They have said there will be no fracking as part of this test phase – but this is the first step towards fracking. Furthermore, this is an all-island issue: water knows no borders, and the Irish Petroleum Affairs Division has said they will accept the results of these tests as part of Tamboran’s work programme under its Irish options licence. The test site is only a few kilometres from the border.

Locals had no notice of Tamboran’s plans. They simply moved onsite at 5am on the 21^st of July, and later that day dropped some leaflets into locals’ postboxes. The land belongs to local quarry Acheson and Glover, who has been the target of criticism for leasing land to frackers. Locals immediately set up a 24-hour vigil outside the huge metal gates, which are surrounded by razor wire and watched over by security guards with dogs. Protectors have hung signs and flowers on the gates, organised rallies, public meetings, and a place for people to camp. Furthermore Fermanagh county council is unanimously opposed to the test well - this is an issue that crosses party lines.

There are frequent public meetings, a tractor run on Sunday 3rd, and an action camp next week. Keep in touch with Belcoo Frack Free on facebook for more information! If you can’t head up to join the Belcoo Community Protector’s Camp, join this e-action!