NEWLY discovered 2,000-year-old ruins at the ancient Hill of Tara site must be fully preserved because of their unique size and character, according to a US academic.

Newly discovered 2000-year-old ruins at the ancient Hill of Tara must be fully preserved because of their unique size and character, a US academic today said.

Top academics from across the world gathered on the historic Hill of Tara today to highlight the reasons plans for the M3 motorway should be abandoned.

International academics will gather at the Hill of Tara site on Sunday to protest against the M3 motorway planned for the area.