Press Release. Campaign to Save Tara,
14th. June, 20:00.
14th. June, 20:00.
Roche orders destruction of Lismullin Monument
The Campaign to Save Tara unreservedly
condemns the action of Dick Roche as Minister for the
Environment to destroy the newly discovered National
Monument of Lismullin. This order was his last act as
minister before leaving office. Perhaps the cynicism
often expressed by Irish people about their political
representatives is well placed in view of this final act
of the man who was entrusted with the guardianship of our
national heritage.This was one of the very few new monuments to be declared at the time when the country is losing in the region of 10% of its archaeological heritage every year.
How many of our national treasures must be lost before the Irish people call a halt.
In 1996 the present Taoiseach stated that "It is imperative that no more of our irreplaceable national heritage be destroyed because of political inertia". This is the same man who has presided over the proposed destruction of the whole Gabhra Valley including the new monument.
Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin said: "The final legacy of a dying Government was to prove the World Monument Fund was right. Tara is not only one of the 100 most endangered sites now. It is the most endangered landscape in the world".
Michael Canney said: "This must rate as one of the most cynical strokes of this Government. Lismullin will be defended and we welcome the opportunity to, once and for all, focus and concentrate the minds of the people of Ireland on what they will lose should this road go ahead as planned. This campaign is now coming to a head - those who have supported us must now come forward and be willing to defend a National Monument".
ENDS
Media queries:
Dr. Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin
Tel: 087-9249510
Michael Canney
Tel: 086-8528200
E-Mail: info@savetara.com
Web site: http://www.savetara.com
Related Articles:
Ministerial Directions on Lismullin National Monument.