ESB rejects Shannonbridge shutdown claims writes Deirdre Verney

THE ESB has rejected claims from environmentalists that West Offaly Power in Shannonbridge was shut down as a result of the Climate Camp protest last week.

A spokesperson for the semi-state company said the  peat burning station was not “generating electricity for a 38 day scheduled plant overhaul before the camp commenced," a response described by Climate Camp  spokesperson Molly Walsh, as a bit of a "coincidence" it clashed with their seven-day event.

Up to 200 environmental activists gathered in Shannonbridge last week for Ireland's first Climate Camp in bid to highlight what they described as the urgent issue of climate change and to call for the closure of the peat fired stations, including the West Offaly Power station in the village and the protection of the area's bogs.

The group, from all over Ireland and as far afield as Germany and Sweden, camped on a  site in the shadow of the massive  power plant for a week, kitting out the field with solar panels, a vegan kitchen and compost toilet. 

The camp culminated in a Day of Action on Saturday last with a colourful parade at Main Street, Shannonbridge and peaceful protests in Lanesboro and Edenderry.  Some activists locked themselves to the gates of Lough Ree Power station in Lanesboro  while another group entered the plant and carried out a banner drop on one of the buildings which read 'Give Peat a Chance.' 
Two activists were subsequently arrested. Spokesperson Molly Walsh said that direct action prevented tonnes of emissions going in to the atmosphere to further contribute to climate change.

"It was Ireland's first Climate Camp and we are very happy with how it went. Climate change is not just a distant thing it is happening now and it is having negative effects around the world".

Furthermore, she went on to say that the UN  estimate 300,000 are dying each year in South America and Africa as a direct result of pollution and climate change.

"We targeted peat stations because they are dirtiest fuel, worse even than coal. It's crazy digging up a carbon sink from the bog, which actually takes carbon out of the atmosphere," adding that the group will continue the campaign for climate justice in the months ahead. 

Another group merged with the colourful parade on Saturday afternoon after taking more direct action filling in trenches which drain the bogs to start restoring our peatlands in West Offaly. A Climate Camp river crew also unveiled a banner  saying 'Sponge bog stops floods' to many cheers from the main parade, which  members of Climate Camp said received a very positive response from locals.

''People in the midlands deserve better community-oriented sustainable jobs. We need to think long-term and we need to start now," according to Nancy Serrano, another spokesperson for Climate Camp. 

Meanwhile, the ESB said West Offaly Power was not generating electricity for a 38 day scheduled plant overhaul before the climate camp commenced and Lough Ree Power was in continuous operation during the full week of the camp. 

"ESB's primary concern at all times is for the safety of the public and staff. Very serious hazards are present in all electrical installations, including power stations and transmission compounds, which must be carefully managed and con trolled.
In order to ensure the safety of the individual, staff, contractors and members of the public, ESB only permits entry onto its facilities with appropriate authorisation." 

Security at ESB plants is a matter under constant review, the statement concluded. Local Gardaí monitored the camp in Shannonbridge on Saturday and it's reported a Garda helicopter circled the area for a time.