Mayo Council Council has rejected a motion calling on Shell to change its plans and build its controversial gas terminal offshore.
Despite a plea by the wife of one of five men jailed over their opposition to the Shell, the council rejected the motion by 13 votes to nine.
However, the council did accept a motion calling on all sides in the dispute to come together for discussions with the aim of resolving the matter and getting the men out of jail.
Rosemary Steen, Shell E&P Ireland
Mrs Mary Corduff said her family should not have to go through any more torture over the contentious route of the Corrib gas field through their farmland near Rossport.
Her husband, Willie, and four other Rossport men - Micheal O'Seighin, Brendan Philbin, and brothers Vincent and Philip McGrath - have spent 45 days behind bars in Cloverhill Prison on a contempt of court charge.
But councillors rejected the motion seeking the relocation of the gas terminal offshore over fears they could be sued by the energy giant.
Fears were also raised that blocking Shell from building an onshore refinery at Bellanaboy could have an adverse effect on the Mayo economy.
The motion, proposed by Fianna Fáil, Labour and Independents at an extraordinary council sitting, was defeated 13 votes to nine.
Ms Maura Harrington of the Shell to Sea campaign told ireland.com: "The result is no big surprise really because the councillors didn't really have an informed opinion on the issues around the pipeline.
"They all said nice things about the men in jail but had no understanding of why they are there," she added
Ms Harrington went on to say that she though there had been outside intervention into the debate before it had begun.
"Andy Pyle, chair of Shell Ireland, e-mailed the councillors last night and the Department of the Marine circulated a 'briefing paper' during the meeting which was blatantly biased. Also, the council executive's legal adviser told the council if the motion was passed the council could be sued for up to €900 million - but there was no other legal opinion there."
As a result, she concluded, she wasn't surprised the motion was rejected.
Shell has suspended all work on the €900 million project pending a safety review later in the year. Mark Garavan, spokesman for the Shell to Sea campaign, added the campaign to halt construction of an onshore refinery would continue.
Protesters are due to gather in Galway tomorrow afternoon to rally more public support.
Shell has appealed to protesters near the Bellanaboy and Glengad Corrib sites to allow essential maintenance and environmental work to go ahead.
Rosemary Steen of Shell E&P Ireland called on protesters to stand back allow construction workers to move machinery off site. "It is important . . . we are allowed to carry out this work and we appeal to protesters not to interfere with these critical activities to be undertaken."