Cullen expected to approve work at Carrickmines

ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners claim an announcement expected today will result in the destruction of a national monument.

It is understood Environment Minister Martin Cullen will give his approval for the resumption of road construction work at Carrickmines Castle in south Dublin.

The Carrickmines Castle Preservation Group claims it is illegal to give consent to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Co Council and the National Roads Authority to remove parts of the medieval site that stands on the route of the final leg of the M50 motorway.

Objections by conservationists have held up plans for the completion of the southeastern motorway which the NRA claim is costing an extra €200,000 per week in fees for contractors, Ascon, as a result of delays.

Mr Cullen is due to give his consent to an application made by the local authority under the National Monuments Act to allow the local authority to remove part of the 13th century fosse, or walled ditch.

However, CCPG spokesperson Vincent Salafia said the consent was illegal. “It flies in the face of the primary intent of the act which is to preserve monuments in exactly this type of situation.”

He also accused the council of attempting to circumvent a Supreme Court injunction won by conservationists Gordon Lucas and Dominick Dunne which restrains the authorities from further work on the site.

The CCPG has issued a warning that it will take a fresh legal action to prevent any further removal of the monument which environmentalists have declared a prime heritage site.

Mr Salafia expressed concern that recent decisions by Cabinet pointed to the Government declaring “a sinister war on heritage, in favour of development interests”.

“The recent dismantling of Dúchas is only the first step in a panoply of measures by the Cabinet to clear the way for unfettered development in Ireland,” he added.

A spokesperson for Mr Cullen could not be contacted for comment last night.