This article is from page 12 of the 2006-05-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
RESIDENTS vehemently opposed to the erection of a controversial ESB mast close to the Éire Óg GAA grounds may march in protest over the issue.
The march is one course of action locals are considering after residents and political figures met with ESB representatives on Friday at a meeting convened by Senator Brendan Daly in the West County Hotel.
In a separate development, Junior Minister Tony Killeen has written to the Chief Executive Officer of the ESB, Padraig McManus, requesting the ESB to outline their policy on siting masts in residential areas.
Speaking yesterday, mast campaigner Noel Mulhaire said locals were hopeful the decision would be overturned.
“We are extremely unhappy with the decision. The mast would be literally metres from where children play sport. We have outlined our displeasure to the ESB and requested them not to build. We have the support of local councillors and we are confident that we will get a judicial review.”
Ennis Town Council are currently seeking legal advice over the matter and residents have four weeks from Friday (May 26) to apply for a judicial review.
But a spokesperson for the ESB said that, although dialogue was ongoing, the ESB fully expected the mast to be erected.
“We have full planning permission and we expect to go ahead with it. Consultations are ongoing with residents.”
Local councillor Pat Daly (FF) said that it was wrong, “for so many reasons, that the ESB should go on this site. Lives should be more important than big business.”
The controversy emerged following An Bord Pleanala’s decision to grant planning permission to the ESB for an 80-metre high telecommunications mast. In allowing the decision, the board overturned the recommendation of its inspector, who strongly recommended that permission be refused. The proposed site for the mast is situated at an existing ESB substation, located in the centre of a densely populated residential area adjacent to Mangan’s Cash and Carry. The site is 30 metres from the Éire Óg GAA grounds and is situated near Cahercalla Hospice. Locals have expressed serious concerns over potential health risks
“There are serious health concerns, there’s devaluation of property, there’s a lot of things. It is serious from the point of view that young children will be playing close to this monstrosity towering over the landscape,” one local resident said yesterday.