Wind farm planning denied due to pearl mussel in Clare

The endangered fresh water pearl mussel has struck again – this time to knock back another large scale, €54m wind-farm in west Clare.

As a result, local community groups are to miss out on a €1m windfall promised by the developers of the wind farm near the west Clare village of Kilmihil.

Last month, the mussel was the key ally in US billionaire Donald Trump’s successful battle against plans for a giant wind-farm near his Doonbeg golf course and hotel.