M3 objector must pay €600,000 legal costs bill

ENVIRONMENTALIST Vincent Salafia was ordered by the High Court yesterday to pay a legal costs bill, which could be over €600,000, arising from his unsuccessful challenge to the proposed routing of the M3 motorway near the Hill of Tara.

However, Mr Salafia is appealing to the Supreme Court against the High Court’s rejection earlier this month of his case and his lawyers are expected to ask the Supreme Court to put a stay on payment of the costs pending the outcome of the appeal.

Mr Justice Thomas Smyth yesterday rejected arguments on behalf of Mr Salafia, of Dodder Vale, Churchtown, that he should be given the costs of his proceedings and instead directed Mr Salafia pay the costs incurred by the State, Meath County Council and the National Roads Authority in opposing his case.