The incompetence of 'Rathlin Energy' Management in failing to contain a serious discharge of effluent into a natural water course on Monday, has led to heated exchanges from angry activists, (protectors) at the West Newton site. The discharge at the site, had led to many gallons of toxic waste, cascading over the man made ditches, (which are made to contain any spillages,) across a road and over adjacent land and finally into a natural ditch.The ditch is a natural border of the surrounding crop land. A Rathlin worker, who had been alerted and who had attempted to take a sample of the water at the natural ditch, fell in to the ditch up to his neck, to the amazement and amusement of the watching 'activist protectors.' The environment agency turned up nearly '24 hours' later to sample the water at the ditch. One activist claimed that the object of the analysis of the sample from the ditch, had been defeated by the period of time that had elapsed.
He also claimed the results would be of no use as Dermot Nesbit (Rathllin Energy director and one time Northern Ireland, Environment Minister) 'had the environment agency in his pocket.'
Trucks and workers were escorted today (Tuesday) from the site by groups of Police. Activists clearly very angry with the farce the previous day, remonstrated with police as the cortege of people and vehicles made their way at walking pace from the site to the open road. Police made the arrests after activists were asked to move to the side of the road to allow vehicles to pass. No footpaths are at the side of the very narrow road, which could possibly explain, the misunderstanding of where the activists, were to stand. The video of the arrests is here.  http://bambuser.com/v/4675851 Further actions from both sides are expected in the coming days.