A group protesting at the current planned route of the M3 which was denied an opportunity to appear before the Oireachtas Transport Committee will now be allowed to make a submission, it emerged today.

If one spade touches the Hill of Tara the Government will be hit with immediate legal action, campaigners warned today.

A campaign group handed over a 10,000-strong petition to the Government today warning them to back away from constructing a motorway near the historic seat of the High Kings of Ireland.