This article is from page 16 of the 2006-07-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
CAMPAIGNERS will have to wait another week to discover if they will be granted leave of appeal to halt the erection of an 80 foot ESB telecommunications mast in Ennis.
The case was expected to be heard yesterday (Monday) in the High Court but has now been adjourned until Monday, July 31. The adjournment was sought by An Bord Pleanála who requested more time to prepare an affidavit. Campaigners are now hopeful that the case will be heard on July 31, before the courts break for summer recess. Locals who have mounted the potentially expensive legal battle are disappointed with the further delay. Campaigner Michael O’Doherty says residents are frustrated, but are still confident of a successful outcome.
“We were hoping that it would go ahead today, but An Bord Pleanála have requested more time to prepare an affidavit. People are waiting for the case to be heard and expected it to go ahead today.
Local people are anxious and we are anxious, but we would still very confident that we have a good case.
“This is the second time the case has been adjourned in the High Court. It was originally to be heard on July 5, but was adjourned at the request of the ESB. Residents agreed to the request on the condition no work was to be carried out on the site of the ESB substation adjacent to Mangan’s Cash and Carry.
Residents are opposing the decision on the grounds that the proposed site was not chosen as a site of last resort; the ESB did not provide the necessary notification of the development within the required time frame and that An Bord Pleanála did not request additional information on additional sites looked at by the ESB.