A rare species of bat, as well as the soprano pipistrelle bat, may hold up development of the €180m Project Opera development in Limerick.

THE build-up to Halloween seems to be starting earlier each year and bats, more than any other animal, have come to symbolise this ancient pagan festival. Bats are being used to create a creepy, macabre, and ghostly atmosphere. Be not afraid, however. It’s mostly mythology.