High Court begins hearing motorway challenge

The High Court has begun hearing a legal challenge to the Government's plan to build the proposed M3 motorway alongside the Hill of Tara in Co Meath.

Heritage campaigner Vincent Salafia has taken a case questioning the constitutionality of the existing legislation governing the protection of national monuments.

The National Monuments Act gave Minister for the Environment Dick Roche the power to allow the motorway to be constructed in the Tara-Skryne Valley.

Mr Salafia wants that decision rescinded and the road to be built in a less archaeologically sensitive area.