Friday 1 June 2007

Tara protesters claim injunction threat

TaraWatch campaigners protesting against the construction of the M3 motorway in Co Meath say an official from construction company SIAC has informed them a High Court injunction would be sought against them.
However, a spokesperson for Eurolink, the consortium which comprises SIAC Construction Ltd, has denied it is seeking an injunction against protesters and said it would only consider doing so as "a last resort".
But demonstrators at sites such as Soldier's Hill, Baronstown, Collierstown and Lismullin, are concerned that "SIAC are rushing to fill in archaeological sites before the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government makes his decision on whether to reroute the M3."
TaraWatch member Laura Grealish called for an independent archaeological assessment of the sites as she believes many fulfil similar criteria to the one the NRA recently classified as a national monument at Lismullin.
However, Mary Deevy, archaeologist for the National Roads Authority (NRA), responded: "Lismullin is a unique site . . . claims have been made that other sites deserve the same archaeological status but no evidence has been produced to support these claims to either us or the Department of Environment. Our work is open to public scrutiny at www.m3motorway.ie."
Meanwhile, a group of approximately 15 protesters, consisting of members of TaraWatch, the Campaign to Save Tara and other individuals, continue their protest. As one conservationist, Debbie Reilly, said: "Not only will Tara's landscape be destroyed but more recent history will disappear under concrete."
Eurolink has said it recognises the right to protest lawfully, but construction workers also have the right to go about their work without interference.
Gillian Hamill
© 2007 The Irish Times

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