Fracking firm Tamboran granted Belcoo quarry injunction extension

Protesters have been staging a round-the-clock vigil at the site near Belcoo

A company that plans to use fracking to extract natural gas in County Fermanagh has been granted an extension to a High Court injunction to stop protesters getting close to a quarry.

Tamboran Resources intends to drill an exploratory borehole near Belcoo next month to collect rock samples.

Protesters against the controversial fracking technique have been holding a vigil at the quarry.

The company said the extension was granted due to "unlawful incidents".

Last Friday, Tamboran were granted a court order that prohibits people from entering or occupying land at Gandrum Road, or preventing Tamboran from carrying out exploratory mining operations and obstructing access to and from the site.

The quarry is owned by Acheson and Glover and Tamboran has taken out a four-month lease to carry out exploratory drilling work.

A spokesperson for Tamboran Resources said the court order was sought after "a number of individuals" tried to gain access to the site.

"The company has since sought and secured an extension to the order on Wednesday 30 July following additional unlawful incidents that took place since the initial order was served.

"The court ruled that the order would continue until there was a further order of the court."

The spokesperson added: "Tamboran respects people's right to protest and we welcome calls from local people to ensure that the protests are peaceful.

"It is important to stress that the company is undertaking work it is required to do under the terms of the licence from government and intends to meet its obligations in full.

"The company also believes the people of Fermanagh and Northern Ireland have a right to know if the gas is present.

"We suggest that given the potential benefit this can bring to everyone in terms of investment, jobs and, critically, energy security, that this deserves serious consideration and debate.

"This is a straightforward drilling operation, it is not fracking.

"We would ask that people approach with an open mind and willingness to listen to all the facts before making an informed decision.

"People have a right to the facts and that is what we are seeking to establish with this project."

In an affidavit presented to the High Court in Belfast last week, Karl Prenderville, commercial director of Tamboran Resources (UK), said they expected substantial opposition to their operations and that anonymous threats had been received.

He said during a protest involving 300 people at the site on Monday 21 July, four security staff were assaulted and damage caused to the perimeter fence.

Protesters have set up what they have called the Belcoo Community Protection Camp outside the entrance to the quarry and said they want their protest to be peaceful.

The site is protected by metal fences and razor wire, and is guarded by a private security company.

Last summer, the village of Balcombe in West Sussex was the scene of large anti-fracking demonstrations, with more than 1,000 people setting up camp at the height of the protests.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said last week that as part of their plans, they have looked at similar policing operations.

"The role of the police is to facilitate lawful activity by Tamboran and their agents, facilitate peaceful protest and minimise the potential for disorder," a spokeswoman said.