TWO MEN were arrested yesterday evening as the largest sub-sea pipe-laying vessel arrived in Broadhaven Bay, Co Mayo.
The 300m (984ft) ship, Solitaire, which will lay offshore pipes for the Corrib gas field, was due to start working last month, but its deployment was delayed until yesterday for a number of reasons.
A fisherman and his son were arrested yesterday in the bay after the Solitaire'sarrival around 6pm. Chief Supt John Gilligan confirmed the man's boat was escorted into Ballyglass pier shortly before 8pm.
A Defence Forces spokesman also confirmed there were two naval vessels in the area, the LE Aoifeand the LE Orla.A Navy diving unit also travelled to north Mayo yesterday to assist the operation's safety measures.
Locals said the area was like "a war zone", with roads closed and "gardaí everywhere".