Protesters being man-handled by workers
Press Release. Campaign to Save Tara,
18th. July 2007, 19:30.

Seven environmental protesters
- arrested at M3 site

Seven conservationists were arrested this morning at the site of the proposed M3 motorway in the Tara/Skryne Valley. Amongst those arrested was Dr. Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin, one of the spokespersons for Campaign to Save Tara. The arrests were made at the site of the proposed Blundelstown interchange within 1km of the top of the Hill of Tara. The trouble was sparked when construction workers from the SIAC/Ferrovial conglomerate attempted to set up a new depot in the middle of the Valley.

A number of the protesters were injured when security contractors dragged them away from machinery. The Gardai at the sites did nothing to protect the peaceful protesters from being assaulted. The Save Tara campaign denies the allegations that it blocked traffic today on the M3.

Donagh Maguire, one of those present said: "What happened today was that we blocked access to work sites, when this happens SIAC/Ferrovial know how to present us in the maximum negative light - they simply switch off their engines and block the public road. How can this be legal, why are the Guards not doing anything about this?"

According to Dr. Ní Bhrolcháin, "Only last week the EU declared work on the M3 to be illegal and it is deeply ironic that peaceful heritage and environmental campaigners are now being arrested for simply pointing out the illegality of what is going on. We now have a situation whereby our Gardai, instead of enforcing the law, are actually arresting people for trying to halt an illegal activity".

The protesters have been demanding that all work stop in the Valley section of the route until a full, independent archaeological assessment of the proposed route is undertaken. In addition the EU issued an unprecedented warning to the Irish Government that the road scheme requires a new Environmental Impact Assessment following the discovery of a National Monument at Lismullin, directly in the path of the proposed motorway.

The EU claims that this new discovery constitutes a "material change in circumstance" and therefore a new assessment must be carried out before work can legally continue. Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, had previously stated that it was just such a change in circumstance that was required for him to review the route.

Michael Canney of the Save Tara campaign said today; "How can the minister say one week that what he requires is a 'material change in circumstance' and stand back the following week and claim that he can still do nothing when the EU clearly says that such a change has in fact occurred. Why has the Minister made no effort whatsoever to implement EU environmental legislation and do something to avert the environmental and heritage disaster that is this proposed road?"

ENDS

Media queries:
Michael Canney
Tel: 086 8528200
E-Mail: info@savetara.com
Web site: http://www.savetara.com

John Gormley can reverse decision on M3.
EU Commission probes Tara monument demolition.
EU challenges €184bn NDP.