Residents decry port plans as unfair and unconstitutional

ENOUGH is enough, residents fighting plans for a €226 million container port in Cork harbour said yesterday.

Representatives of Ringskiddy Residents Association, which represents people living in one of the country’s most heavily industrialised zones, told An Bord Pleanála they are fighting four such large infrastructure projects proceeding under the state’s Strategic Infrastructure Bill process. They are: the Port of Cork project; a sewage treatment plant for the entire lower harbour; a second incinerator; and the proposed upgrade of the N28.

They described the process as unfair and unconstitutional — ordinary citizens in a David versus Goliath situation. Association chairman Graham Brennan and vice chairman Sean Forde told day seven of An Bord Pleanála’s oral hearing into the port project that people feel as if they are being treated with contempt.