SHELL EP Ireland has recruited Mayo News editor Denise Horan as senior communications adviser for the Corrib gas project.
Ms Horan (30) will take up her position at the end of April, the company confirmed yesterday, succeeding Susan Shannon who has moved to corporate affairs in Royal Dutch Shell headquarters in The Hague.
Ms Horan becomes the latest in a series of journalists recruited by the company to handle its public relations with the controversial gas project, including former BBC and RTÉ journalist John Egan, who is now a director of Shell EP Ireland, and Christy Loftus, a former journalist with the Western People and former president of the National Union of Journalists.
Ms Horan has been editor of the Mayo News for three years, having previously worked with the Western People. A keen sportswoman, she was goalkeeper on four All-Ireland football teams representing Mayo. She will work with Colin Joyce, communications adviser, and Mr Loftus in north Mayo.
Shell EP Ireland also confirmed yesterday that it has received formal notification of the admissibility of a complaint lodged with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) about the Corrib gas project, and will “participate fully” with the inquiry. “We reiterate our continued commitment of entering into dialogue with any group or individuals that have outstanding concerns relating to the Corrib gas project,” the company said in a statement.
The OECD is expected to offer to mediate between Shell and Pobal Chill Chomáin, the north Mayo community which lodged the complaint last year.
The complaint claims that Corrib gas developers Royal Dutch Shell, Statoil Hydro and Marathon Oil have violated OECD guidelines for multinational companies.
