Communities 'had lobbied for nuclear plants' in '70s

It has emerged that a number of rural communities lobbied in the early seventies for the construction of nuclear power stations in their areas.

The revelations are contained in the newly-released State papers under the 30-year rule.

Politicians and community groups in Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Kerry were among those who lobbied for an atomic facility in a bid to bring employment to their areas.

Plans to build a nuclear plant in Co Wexford were eventually abandoned.