Despite objections, councillors vote to build new road to national park

Despite objections from environmentalists, councillors have voted unanimously in favour of a contentious new access road to Killarney National Park.

The group Friends of the Irish Environment had urged members of Killarney Municipal Authority to reject the development of a road close to what the environmental group described as one of the most sensitive nature conservation sites in Europe and Ireland.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has applied to the council for permission to build a 1km paved road in the Beaufort area, at the edge of Killarney National Park.