BBC: Leitrim protesters say fracking could damage tourism

Fracking - the hydraulic fracturing for gas - is as controversial in the Republic of Ireland as it is in Northern Ireland.

Stormont's environment minister, Mark H Durkan, says it will not easily happen in Northern Ireland. But what about south of the Irish border?

With its noisy waterfalls, rippling lakes and bleak windswept mountains it is easy to see why locals call their county lovely Leitrim. It borders Fermanagh where the prospect of fracking has met with a lot of resistance.

And people like JJ O'Hara, who is involved in the tourism industry south of the border are equally opposed. He believes the extraction of shale gas is unnecessary.
MORE