July 2016

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is prosecuting Shell E&P Irelandfor breaching its emissions license at the Corrib gas refinery in north Mayo.

A summons was issued by the EPA late last week, The Irish Times has learned.

The prosecution relates to the EPA’s six-month investigation into an intense flaring incident at the refinery on December 31st, 2015.

Residents who had experience of test flaring over the past year had described as “frightening” the activity, which lasted for about 30 to 40 minutes, from about 8.15pm on New Year’s Eve.

They reported burning smoke and a ball of fire which “lit up the sky” and which was accompanied by a “low loud rumble like a supersonic boom”.

The flaring took place two days after final operating consent for the project was issued by former energy minister Alex White on December 29th, 2015.