Belcoo: Hundreds attend public meeting on fracking in County Fermanagh

The meeting was attended by representatives from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, Green Party and a local independent councillor.

Hundreds of people have attended a public meeting to discuss fracking in County Fermanagh.

Tamboran Resources wants to explore for shale gas by drilling an exploratory borehole at a quarry near Belcoo.

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

The meeting was attended by representatives from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, Green Party and a local independent councillor.

The DUP, UUP and Alliance Party were invited but said no one was available.

Tom White, a Belcoo resident who helped organise the meeting, said a "strong message" needed to go out on fracking.

"It's not a small little project on a small borehole being bored somewhere in a quarry in Belcoo.

Tom White, who helped organise the meeting, said a "strong message" needed to go out on fracking

"This affects the whole island and it is very important that people all over the island take note of this."

He added that planning is a devolved matter, so Northern Ireland's politicians should make a decision on whether fracking should go ahead.

"They need to come down and do what's right for Northern Ireland and, in particular, what is right for Fermanagh."

Tamboran have said that the borehole is to determine whether shale gas exists.

In a statement, the company said that "the people of Fermanagh and Northern Ireland have a right to know if the gas is present".

"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."

On Wednesday, the company were granted an extension to a High Court injunction to stop protesters getting close to the quarry.

They said the injunction was granted following "unlawful incidents" on the quarry site.