Press Release. Campaign to Save Tara,
6th. August 2007, 15:24.

Statement on Lismullin and Rath Lugh

The Campaign to Save Tara notes that full excavation of the new National Monument of Lismullin will begin Tuesday 7th. August. This is in accordance with the instructions of the committee established by Minister John Gormley. The committee minutes say that: "the site was in a very vulnerable condition, could not sustain or withstand preservation in situ and that, therefore, excavation is desirable and in the best interests of the archaeological remains". It is believed that the excavations will take approximately 12 weeks, weather permitting.

But the Chairman of the Petitions Committee, Marcin Libicki, said in a letter to John Gormley last month: "Many members, including myself, share the view that in the light of the discovery of previously unrecorded, yet vitally important archaeology on the current route at Lismullin and nearby, urgent action is needed to halt existing works in this area and to review the routing of this section of the M3 motorway".

The Campaign is extremely concerned about the further damage that was inflicted on the Rath Lugh area of the motorway corridor during the past week and believes that this will continue in the next week unless the authorities step in and call a halt. There is evidence that the original fence markings are being moved some 6-12 feet further back and closer to the Rath itself.

Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin said: "We believe that if work is carried out any closer to Tara's defensive outpost of Rath Lugh the very foundations of the monument will be undermined. We understood that originally the road take was to be some 70 metres from the Rath now it would appear that the retaining wall that will be required will be flush with the monument. Photographs show that the fence line is being moved closer to the monument itself".

Michael Canney said: "It has also come to our attention that the NRA is questioning the very position of Rath Lugh. The Campaign again asks that all construction work be stopped until the EU deals with the legality of the work that has been carried out since the discovery of the new monument. It is clear that the EU commissioner Stavros Dimas and the Chairman of the Petitions Committee, Marcin Libicki, believe that Ireland is acting in contravention of European Law".

Attention was drawn to the situation at Rath Lugh as far back as January of this year when tree felling took place in the dark in the Gabhra Valley in the area of the henge and of Rath Lugh.

ENDS

Media queries:
Dr. Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin
Tel: 087-9249510
E-Mail: info@savetara.com
Web site: http://www.savetara.com

Related Articles:
Lismullin Advisory Committee Report to Minister(No. 1).
Letter from Marcin Libicki to John Gormley.
Photos taken of Rath Lugh, 4th. August 2007.
Site at Lismullin excavated with indecent haste.