Tara protesters may contest next election

Campaigners blocking the M3 motorway near Tara in Co Meath may form a political protest party to run at the next general election, it emerged today.

The High Court ruled in March that the route did not impinge on the ancient Hill of Tara site but TaraWatch is currently appealing this decision to the Supreme Court.

TaraWatch supporters today held a demonstration outside the Dáil to protest at the passage of the Strategic Infrastructure Bill through parliament on Tuesday.

TaraWatch spokesman Vincent Salafia, who already faces a €600,000 bill over failed legal challenges, vowed to form a political party to fight the issue at the next general election.

“If the mainstream political parties don’t bite on the issue, then we will have to form our own political grouping,” said Mr Salafia.

“There is a lot of support for our campaign on the ground and there will be a lot of votes on the doorsteps come general election time.

“We believe that 70% of people want the M3 rerouted away from Tara but the Government isn’t listening to them.”

“If we cannot stop the motorway in the courts, we will try to stop it in the Dáil.”

TDs Tony Gregory (Independent), Sean Crowe (Sinn Féin) and Ciaran Cuffe (Green Party) attended today’s demonstration, which was themed ’For the Children.’

Deputy Crowe said: “The Tara/Skryne valley is part of our heritage, part of our history and part of what we are and plans for its destruction are nothing less than government-sponsored vandalism.

“The case has been made time and again by those campaigning against the proposed route of the M3 that there are viable and realistic alternatives where both infrastructure and heritage can be accommodated. Sinn Féin is calling for the M3 to be constructed on that viable, alternative route.

“We are also calling for the Tara/Skryne to be developed as a sustainable tourist site. What people don't realize is that approximately 100,000 people visit the site annually at present.

“The financial prospects for the County, if the site is developed as a tourist attraction, are colossal.”

Mr Salafia added: “The Government has worked hard at avoiding, rather than finding a solution to the problem of their own creation.

“This issue is a test for Opposition parties to show that they have vision and can solve problems.”

Mr Salafia claimed the successful passage through the Dáil of the Strategic Infrastructure Bill, which fast-tracks major infrastructure projects, will limit the ability of citizens to challenge planning decisions in court.

“The Government and its developer cronies are wrecking our children’s environment and cultural inheritance. They are also stripping away their legal and civil rights to object.

A candle-lit walk will be held later this month along the route of the motorway from Rathnew to Tara.

TaraWatch is also currently compiling an album of songs to raise funds and promote awareness of the campaign.

Entitled 'Tara of the Kings', it will feature musicians Paddy Casey and Ronan O Snodaigh.

The title track is taken from a poem written by Co Armagh poet Paul Muldoon.