Govt threatened with legal action over 'super-prison' plans

A local resident has reportedly threatened the Government with legal action over the proposal to build a so-called "super prison" on the Dublin-Meath border.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell has announced plans to construct a 1,000-capacity prison and a new Central Mental Hospital on a site between Swords and Ashbourne.

The new, modern facility would replace Mountjoy Prison in Dublin city and the existing Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, which have been criticised as out-dated and Victorian.

However, reports this morning said one local resident had sent a solicitors' letter to Mr McDowell threatening court proceedings unless the project was stalled and consultations with the community were initiated.

Teachers and parents also held a meeting last night to discuss their opposition to the new development, whose entrance would be on the same road as Kilcoskan Primary School.