This article is from page 8 of the 2006-08-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
RESIDENTS opposed to the construction of an ESB telecommunications mast in Ennis have expressed concern, following the adjourning of the case at the High Court for a further two months.
Locals are contesting the construction of the mast at Cahercalla More and are seeking leave to take judicial review.
The case was adjourned yesterday (Monday), until October 16, after affidavits on behalf of the ESB and An Bord Pleanála – which granted permission to the ESB for the 80-foot mast in April – were filed last week.
Anti-mast campaigner Noel Mulhaire said the adjournment would give the objectors “an opportunity to respond to the affidavits.”
“When the case was up a fortnight ago, we requested an adjournment of one week, but they sought a fortnight and that was granted. We now have to sit through the summer recess,” said Mr Mulhaire.
He said the High Court action being taken would cost up to €160,000, which is being collected through local fundraising, but the group is prepared to fight it all the way.
If the residents are granted leave to take the judicial review, the case may not be brought to a conclusion for up to a year.
This was the third 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. The case was adjourned for a second time on July 17 when An Bord Pleanála requested more time to prepare legal documents.
Yesterday, it was agreed that no work would be carried out without seven days’ notice.
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.