Protesters were today thwarted in attempts to chain themselves to lorries at the Shell gas refinery site in Co Mayo.
Minor skirmishes involving gardai officers and demonstrators marked an otherwise relatively peaceful day at the Bellanaboy plant.
Around 10 women managed to briefly gain access to the secured site. All were removed without arrest. Up to 50 protesters in total were involved in the attempts to block lorries removing peat from the site.
When some tried to obstruct traffic at one of the main gates they were restrained by gardai protecting access for workers. Some of the Shell to Sea campaigners alleged they had received minor injuries during the brief disturbances.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to hold an appeal hearing on Monday into the granting of a pollution control licence for the refinery.
The EPA has already given the plant the green light but several groups opposed to it are to voice their concerns at the hearing in Belmullet.
PA