Tunnel protest fails to stop M3
work
By - Vivian Kilfeather.
A HIGH Court bid to halt work on the M3 Dublin to Navan
motorway because protesters claimed to have dug a tunnel
underneath it failed yesterday.
The court application for an injunction to stop the work
also claimed that a national monument on the site was in
danger of being damaged because of the building work - a
claim denied by the National Roads Authority (NRA) which
said any delay in the project would cost the taxpayer
€330,000 per week.
The monument, at an esker known as Rath Lugh, is located
about 2.3 miles north-east of the Hill of Tara and
divided from the hill by the existing N3 road.
Ms. Justice Mary Laffoy dismissed the application for an
injunction from building surveyor Peadar Ó
Ceallaigh, of Wolfe Tone Close, Jervis Street, Dublin,
who claimed a girl "trapped" in a tunnel underneath the
road route was in danger from the impact of heavy diggers
passing over it. She had allegedly chained herself to a
jack in the tunnel and any effort to remove her would
also result in collapse.
He claimed attempts by the road workers, gardaí
and fire brigade to remove the girl had failed.
Mr. Ó Ceallaigh claimed a preservation order on
Rath Lugh, signed last month by Environment Minister John
Gormley, was under threat because of the building
work.
The NRA, the Minister for the Environment and the
Attorney General opposed the injunction.
Declan McGrath, counsel for the NRA, said no work would
take place which would impinge either on the area of the
preservation order or on a buffer zone area around
it.
Ms. Justice Mary Laffoy said Mr. Ó Ceallaigh had
no standing in law to make an application on behalf of a
person in a tunnel.
She reserved costs for the hearing of a full action.
© The Irish Examiner, 14th. March 2008.
Related Articles:
High Court rejects bid to halt work on M3
motorway.
Green Party accused of U-turn in debate over M3 motorway
works.
Protester
sustained by peas and Pearse.
M3 protester chains herself to tunnel in tense
stand-off.
NRA denies undermining Rath Lugh monument.
Tara
protesters in for long haul.
Minister
places Permanent Order on Rath Lugh. Statement,
DoEH&LG.
M3 Protesters warn Gardaí: Tunnel "Will collapse".
Statement, STC.
M3 motorway protesters claim to have entered tunnel under
road.
21st. century souterrain. Statement. Rath Lugh Direct
Action Camp.
