Europe to probe controversial development

THE European Commission is investigating a controversial Trim hotel development which was given the go-ahead after then Environment Minister Martin Cullen personally overruled objections from heritage officials.

News of the investigation into possible breaches of EU directives by Trim Town Council comes as the Centre for Public Inquiry (CPI) publishes a report into the affair today. The report is the CPI’s first since it was established nine months ago.

The CPI investigation details how a number of current and former councillors claim they were advised “against their better judgement” to sell council land to D O’Brien Developments Ltd.