Press Release. Campaign to Save Tara,
29th. August 2007, 13:30.

Fresh Legal challenge to M3 announced

The Campaign to Save Tara today announced details of a legal challenge to the proposed M3 Motorway through the Tara/Skryne Valley in Co. Meath. The Campaign claims that this case is being taken in the public interest and only after all other democratic avenues have been exhausted.

In a message of support read out at today's launch, Seamus Heaney said, "It could be said that the Campaign to Save Tara is putting its case in 'the name of dead generations', for the past two millennia those generations regarded Tara as a place invested with sacred as opposed to secular value. Protest against the loss of this value remains an imperative".

At the launch of the legal challenge today were prominent archaeologists Joseph Fenwick and Professor George Eogan, MEP Kathy Sinnott, celebrated author Morgan Llywelen, as well as members of the Campaign's legal team. Among the groups represented were An Taisce and the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society.

The named plaintiff is Michael Canney, a prominent member and former spokesperson of the Campaign. Among the named defendants are the Minister for the Environment, the Minister for Transport, the National Roads Authority and Eurolink Ltd., The consortium awarded the construction and tolling contract.

The action, by means of a plenary summons which was served on the named defendants last week (see details attached), is seeking a ruling that construction should be halted on the M3 pending the outcome of a case at present before the European Court of Justice relating to the Lismullin National Monument.

A number of other claims are made including a ruling that the Minister for the Environment has failed in his duty to protect Irish National Heritage as required under Article five of the Constitution. Additionally there are a number of claims relating to the procedures adopted in relation to Environmental Impact Assessments.

ENDS

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

Related Articles:
Statement from Michael Canney on new M3 legal challenge.