Roche confirms approval for controversial motorway

Environment Minister Dick Roche has confirmed that he has given final approval for the construction of the controversial M3 motorway alongside the historic Hill of Tara in Co Meath.

Heritage campaigners, historians and archaeological experts from throughout the world had urged Mr Roche to order the preservation of sites along the route of the road through the Tara-Skryne Valley.

Such a move would have forced the National Roads Authority to re-route the motorway away from Tara, the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland.

However, Mr Roche confirmed today that he had decided to allow archaeologists to dig up 38 sites to make way for the €800m road.

He said he had taken the concerns of all sides on board and believed he had come up with a "measured approach", but his decision is likely to be met with a raft of legal challenges from people determined to protect the Tara landscape.

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 and campaigners have been pleading with the Government for months to build the M3 in another area.