Trump uses a little mussel to block windfarm at Doonbeg

US billionaire Donald Trump has finally won his battle against plans for a windfarm near Doonbeg golf course — which he owns — thanks to a little-known freshwater pearl mussel.

It follows An Bord Pleanála’s rejection of a planning application by Clare Coastal Wind Power Ltd for the erection of a nine-turbine windfarm within sight of the golf resort on the Atlantic coast.

The inspector in the case recommended a refusal for the windfarm — which would be 6m higher than Dublin’s Spire — on a number of grounds, including the impact it would have on views from the golf resort.