Love Leitrim welcomes An Bord Pleanála rejection of Shannon LNG planning application

Anti fracking community group Love Leitrim has welcomed the breaking news this morning that An Bord Pleanála have rejected the proposed LNG terminal in the Shannon Estuary.

US firm New Fortress Energy has been vying to build Ireland’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, on the Shannon estuary in Co Kerry, as well as a 600MW power plant at the site.

Community campaigners for years have campaigned against the terminal over fears it would see Ireland become a hub for fracked gas imports.

Ireland banned fracking in 2017 and it was felt that to consider the importation of fracked gas from other impacted communities would be hypocritical and go against Ireland’s climate change obligations.

Love Leitrim chairperson, Jamie Murphy.

Love Leitrim chairperson, Jamie Murphy said, “This is wonderful news, for the communities in Kerry, across Ireland and internationally who have campaigned tirelessly on this issue. It’s a victory also for the global climate movement.

“We have to fight against the development of these projects whether they are in Ireland, Europe or the rest of the world. Fracked gas or fracked gas imports have absolutely no role to play in building a sustainable or liveable future.

“Special mention should also be given to the Safety Before LNG group in Kerry who have sacrificed so much and worked to hard to achieve this."