Meath Chronicle
01.11.03
Tara Campaigners Hit Back At NRA Chairman Remarks
MEMBERS of Save the Tara/Skryne Valley campaign have responded angrily to
comments made by National Roads Authority (NRA) Chairman, Mr. Peter Malone,
about the credibility of their campaign.
Speaking at a recent transportation policy conference, Mr. Malone said the NRA and Meath Co. Council were "determined to see off" challenges from people who did not take part in the planning appeal hearing.
However, campaign secretary for the Tara/Skryne group, Mrs. Julitta Clancy, says the majority of the new committee were originally members of local groups which lodged official planning objections and were present at An Bord Pleanala's oral hearing.
"The new group was created to combine local and national interests," she said. "But the body of the committee is made up of people who have been involved from the beginning."
Campaign chairman, Mr. Percy Jordan, accused the Government and the NRA of trying to sideline their campaign. "They like to paint us as cranks and loonies, but we're the ones trying to protect our heritage and environment while they want to concrete it over," he said.
He also voiced his concern about the residential and industrial developments that could follow the construction of the motorway, and the manner in which the planning for such development might be handled. "The people of Co. Meath don't know what's coming; this is a developers' paradise and we're open to all kinds of abuses," he said.
He added that the motorway could also have a negative effect on tourism in the county. "I've been up on the Hill of Tara talking to hundreds of tourists about the proposed motorway," he said. "They're all against it. They think we're insane. Tourists don't come to Ireland to see motorways, they come for the beautiful scenery and to visit historical sites like Newgrange and Tara."
Meanwhile, the campaign to save the Tara-Skreen Valley from the M3 motorway is building up steam, as a series of nationwide university lectures gets underway under the aegis of the Tara/Skryne Valley group.
The next lecture will be held in Trinity College, Dublin, tomorrow (Thursday) and will feature Dr. Jim Zion, Chief Solicitor for the Navajo Nation, New Mexico, who will discuss the importance of sacred places. The Environmental Society, Trinity College, Dublin, will sponsor this lecture.
Dr. Zion will also speak at the 'Halloween at Tara-Skreen' events this Friday at Skryne Hall at 9pm. Other talks on the campaign will follow over the next few weeks in universities around the country.