Cullen ‘failing to protect heritage sites’

HERITAGE groups yesterday accused Environment Minister Martin Cullen of failing to protect national monuments.

They protested outside the Dáil yesterday at Mr Cullen's attempt to plug heritage loopholes in the wake of the M50/Carrickmines Castle debacle.

Mr Cullen claims his newly published bill to amend the 1994 National Monuments Act not only addresses the legal battle surrounding the medieval ruins in South Dublin, which has delayed completion of the road, but also provides markers for the development of road infrastructure when confronted by archaeological finds.