Conservationists take motorway fight to Supreme Court

Conservationists blocking the final section of Dublin’s M50 motorway have now taken their campaign to the Supreme Court.

Last month the High Court ruled that work being carried out over the ruins of Carrickmines Castle was neither unconstitutional nor against EU law.

But today a spokesman for the campaigners confirmed they will seek a judicial review to challenge Ms Justice Mary Laffoy’s ruling.

He said: “Our lawyers have lodged papers with the Supreme Court and we will be seeking an early hearing.”

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Co Council said it regretted the decision but respected the rights of the campaigners to appeal the September 7 ruling.

Director of transportation Eamonn O’Hare said: “We’re disappointed and frustrated that a step has been taken in this direction.

“We had only two or three weeks of archaeological work to carry out before proper construction of the motorway would resume.”

The 596 million euro South Eastern Motorway project had been due to open this week but protests and legal battles have now delayed it to August 2005 at the earliest.

“Regrettably, motorists will now have to endure 10 months more chaos on local roads,” Mr O’Hare said.

Meanwhile, local Fine Gael deputy Olivia Mitchell has appealed to the campaigners to “leave Carrickmines alone and choose another project to make their point”.

She added: “Preferably this should be one that is at early planning stages, not one that has a signed construction contract 90% completed.”