This article is from page 8 of the 2006-01-31 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
THE State has dropped its pursuit of seven members of the Burren Action Group for €35,000 in legal costs arising from the decade-long Mullaghmore conflict.
Last month, the Chief State Solicitor’s Office appointed a debt collection agency to pursue the seven, including author, John O’Donoghue, and NUIG academic, Prof Emer Colleran, for €34,427 in legal costs.
However, the Chief State Solicitor, David O’Hagan, has now written to the Group to state, “I have now been instructed not to pursue any further the balance of the State’s costs”. Mr O’Hagan gives no reason for the State’s climb-down.
After the appointment of the debtcollectors last month, the Action Group wrote to Mr O’Hagan, contesting the claim that they owed anything to the State, or its agents.
“We acted at all times in the public good and we were successful in our litigation campaign against the State’s plan to locate an Interpretative Centre at Mullaghmore.
“We also sought to minimise the costs to the State which, in spite of our efforts, amounted to €5.1 million of public money.”
The move by the State to pursue the seven also came under fire from the Action Group’s chief political opponent in the ten-year long battle over the proposed interpretative centre at Mullaghmore. Junior Minister, Tony Killeen, described the State’s action as “very unhelpful”.
One of the seven plaintiffs, author and broadcaster, PJ Curtis, expressed his delight that the “sword of financial persecution” had been lifted.
“We are all so delighted that five years after being proven right, we now have had the sword of financial persecution lifted from above our heads. The State should never have held this threat against us, but this is a great day.”
A spokesman for the Action Group this week welcomed the move by the state not to pursue the seven for the €35,000.
“Whilst perplexed that the state pursued us thus far, we, nevertheless, welcome the decision to put an end to the matter. It should give heart to those who pursue legitimate concerns through the courts in the public interest.”
Dean of the Faculty of Law at NUI Galway, Donncha O’Connell said, “The decision not to pursue the Burren Action Group for costs, however belated, is welcome.”
The other plaintiffs pursued include two Burren farmers, Patrick McCormack and James Howard, broadcaster, Lelia Doolin, and Fionnuala McNamara.