Opponents of plans for a €160m incinerator in Cork Harbour staged a silent protest yesterday as Prince Charles visited the harbour area.

They handed kids to the childminder, burnt the midnight oil brushing up on research and refused to be beaten by the planning system. Environmental lobby group CHASE could write the handbook for running a tight campaign. Later this week, they should know if their marathon efforts have all been in vain, writes Catherine Shanahan.

ANGRY residents at the site of the country’s first commercial toxic waste incinerator vowed last night to take their battle to the High Court.