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Shell to Sea

Shoreside ‘sinkholes’ could pose a danger to walkers, campaigners warn

It’s claimed the depressions – some said to be up to 8ft deep – are being caused by the construction of the Corrib gas pipeline.

Updated at 11.16

LOCALS AND CAMPAIGNERS from the ‘Shell to Sea’ group have placed a series of large signs along the shore at a Co. Mayo estuary to warn of the danger posed by ‘sinkholes’.

The depressions at Sruwaddacon Bay were first noticed in May of this year, and Shell to Sea claims the phenomenon is being caused by the construction of the final sections of the Corrib gas pipeline.

Spokesperson for the group Terence Conway told TheJournal.ie they felt compelled to act to warn people of the holes, as they could pose a danger to walkers out on the strand.

“We first noticed them around the 20th of May”, Conway said. “I came across one by accident. There was a hole in the strand about four foot deep, but it was filled in later by the Shell people.”

The holes start off very gradually with air bubbles coming out and they gradually get bigger and deeper, as the bubbles rise up from the drilling.

(Youtube: ErrisCamera)

Around 20 people turned out at the weekend to help erect the homemade warning signs around the affected area, which is around 300 metres from the nearest houses.

Conway claims the path of the Shell tunnel can currently be traced by the trail of sinkholes that have appeared along the strand. He says authorities have failed to take any action to address the problem in spite of being notified by residents.

The Department of Energy says it dispatched a tunnelling expert to examine the phenomenon, and that the most recent site visit was conducted this week. A spokesperson for the Department told TheJournal.ie:

The developer has notified the Department about depressions in Sruwaddacon Bay which are caused by air escaping during TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) ‘intervention’ maintenance.

The depressions in the Bay are being considered in the context of the site review and a report will be submitted by Environ to the Department in due course. In keeping with its normal practice, the Department will publish this report  once available.

Shell E&P Ireland and Mayo County Council failed to immediately return calls on the issue.

Read: Campaigner against Corrib gas pipeline ‘on hunger strike’ in prison

Video: Dramatic rescue after woman’s car swallowed by sinkhole

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    Mute Pat O'Leary
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    Dec 27th 2022, 4:13 PM

    Lad probably fell out a window like all the other deceased Putin critics.

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    Dec 27th 2022, 4:18 PM

    @Pat O’Leary: BBC reported that he fell from the hotel window. Funny how anyone that criticises that Tosspot Putin they end up out a window or end up having heart attacks or strokes.

    Russian sausage tycoon Pavel Antov dies in Indian hotel fall https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-64101437

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    Mute pistachio 32
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    Dec 27th 2022, 5:13 PM

    The Russian elite must be restless at the moment wondering who is next? It wouldn’t surprise me to see Putin himself take a fall at some stage

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    Dec 27th 2022, 3:42 PM

    Modi a supporter of Putin. Solved.

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    Dec 27th 2022, 7:43 PM

    Advice to Russian Policy Critics: Stay away from windows or people with umbrellas. Just saying….

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    Mute Genera L Consensus
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    Dec 27th 2022, 5:12 PM

    Obviously a 2 shots in the back of the head suicide

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    Mute #1 Fifthwheel
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    Dec 28th 2022, 12:49 AM

    Putin must be getting nervous, what with so many people falling dead, like on the battlefield, out of windows, oops! my car just happened to blow up.. Putin and his ideological regime, must be stopped. They spin lies to their own people to cover their own psychopathic ideals.. “MURDERERS” oops! I must be next, mustn’t get too near a window.. watch the stairs etc.. The West was never a threat to Russia. But Russia under Putin is a pariah and can never be trusted again…

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    Dec 28th 2022, 9:58 AM

    Someone living in a high rise needs to invite Putin over to see their new curtains.

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    Dec 27th 2022, 6:58 PM

    Defenestrations of Odisha!

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    Dec 28th 2022, 10:08 PM

    The body of the recently deceased Sausage Tycoon will be cremated next week.. 5 minutes on each side, it’s what he would have wanted

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