Priests take different standpoints on Corrib gas project

Two County Mayo based parish priests have publicly taken different points of view on the Corrib Gas Project, which aims to bring gas ashore in the county. 

Both Fr Michael Nallen and Fr Kevin Hegarty made submissions to the An Bord Planeala hearing into the Corrib Gas Project in Bellmullet this week with both being firmly on opposite sides of the fence. 

In his submission, Fr Michael Nallen expressed grave concerns about the physical and psychological health and safety of school children and parishioners in the Aughoose and Pullathomas areas as well as in his entire Kilcommin-Erris parish where, he says, “painful issues relating to the Corrib gas project have the greatest impact.” 

He added that the proposed raw gas pipeline, which is  to be located close the local national school, church and cemetery as well as many local residences could be dangerous if there is any rupture in the gas pipeline.

However, his colleague and fellow parish priest Fr Kevin Hegarty who administers in the parish of Kilmore-Erris has wholeheartedly expressed his support for the project. 

In his submission he says that, while there have been mistakes in the past, Shell, the company behind the project has made, “significant efforts to communicate meaningfully with the community.” 

He added, “I sense that the vast majority of the community are supportive of Corrib gas.” 

Fr Hegarty also said, “I know that there are sincere people among the protestors.  I believe however that their fears about the safety of the pipeline have been grossly inflated by the sulphurous rhetoric of those who wish to prevent the delivery of the gas on ideological grounds.”

by Sean Ryan