Campaigners vow legal action if Roche approves Tara plans

The Save Tara-Skryne Valley group has vowed to take legal action if Environment Minister Dick Roche approves the planned route of the controversial M3 motorway in Co Meath.

Reports this morning said Mr Roche was planning to allow the road to run through the valley and past the Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland.

The move comes despite opposition to the route of the motorway from the director of the National Museum and hundreds of archaeologists and academics worldwide.

Asked about the minister's plans today, Dr Muireann Ni Bhrolchain, a spokesperson for the Save Tara-Skryne Valley campaign, said they would take court action in Ireland and Europe if necessary.

She said alternative routes were available for the M3 and, even then, the road would not solve traffic problems for commuters in Co Meath, but would simply speed up their journey to the congested M50 in Dublin.