Castle conservation battle in ruins

CONSERVATIONISTS have hinted that further legal action to prevent the removal of important archaeological remains at Carrickmines Castle in south Dublin is being considered.

It comes after Environment Minister Martin Cullen recently signed a controversial order to allow work resume next month on the site which forms part of the route of the M50 motorway around Dublin.

Legal challenges by environmental protection groups over the past two years delayed completion of the final leg of the M50 at an estimated cost of €20m.

However, the National Roads Authority and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council resisted attempts at compromise.

Carrickmines Castle preservation campaigners tacitly accept their battle appears to be lost.

“Although we won several significant legal victories ... the Government adopted the view: ‘The law’s been broken - let’s change the legislation’,” said UCC lecturer and historian, Dr David Edwards.

The Government introduced emergency legislation during the summer which gave powers to the Environment Minister to make the ultimate decision on the preservation of sites of archaeological significance.