Save Tara launches new court
challenge
By - Unknown.
Environmentalists yesterday mounted a fresh legal
challenge yesterday to force the State to halt work on a
multimillion-euro motorway through the ancient Hill of
Tara.
Summonses were served on the Government, the National
Roads Authority and tolling contractor Eurolink by the
Campaign to Save Tara group, who are supported in their
bid by poet Seamus Heaney, MEP Kathy Sinnott and Sinn
Féin.
It comes a week after An Bord Pleanála ruled the
M3 could be built over 2000-year-old newly discovered
ruins at Lismullin, about 2km from the Tara Hill.
A legal challenge previously taken by protester Vincent
Salafia of TaraWatch failed; he dropped a Supreme Court
appeal last October after the State decided not to pursue
his legal costs, totalling around €600,000.
The Campaign to Save Tara's Michael Canney said the court
challenge was taken as a last resort.
"It has never been my ambition to put my name forward in
a legal challenge against such a seemingly impregnable
array of political and economic forces", he said.
"I have done so only as a last resort and only because it
is absolutely essential that the silent majority who
oppose this road are given a final chance to voice their
concerns before the courts".
Protesters want a High Court ruling halting construction
on the project pending the outcome of a case before the
European Court of Justice over the Lismullin national
monument.
An Bord Pleanála had already given the road
project its approval and allowed work on recording and
covering the monument to begin.
© Herald.AM, 30th. August 2007.
Related Articles:
Save Tara protesters launch "last resort" legal
challenge.
Fresh legal bid to save Hill of Tara.
M3 alternative unveiled as new court bid begins.
Fresh
Legal challenge to M3 announced - CtST Statement.
Save
Tara/M3 Legal Case - Statement - Michael Canney.
