Govt gives final approval to controversial Tara motorway

The Government has reportedly given final approval to the construction of the controversial M3 motorway alongside the Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland.

The €800m road has already received planning permission, but heritage campaigners have been urging Environment Minister Dick Roche to effectively overturn this by ordering the protection of archaeological sites along the route.

Experts from throughout the world had expressed shock at the plans to build a motorway in the Tara-Skryne Valley, which is rich in archaeology dating back thousands of years.

The site is widely regarded as the most important historic location in Ireland.

Despite this, reports this morning said Mr Roche had approved the excavation of archaeological sites to make way for the road.

The decision is likely to be met with a raft of legal challenges from people determined to protect the Tara landscape.