Tara protesters to be removed

Members of the Tara Solidarity Vigil, who have been holding a vigil on the Hill of Tara since June 21, have been warned by Mr William Foley of the Office of Public Works that they will be removed tomorrow by the authorities if they do not leave now.

This is the second warning they have received from the authorities.

In mid-July they were approached by the Gardaí and threatened with prosecution under the Housing Act 2002, which criminalises trespass on public or private land.

The vigil, taking place on publicly owned land, on top of the Hill of Tara intends to garner support campaign to save the Tara complex from the M3 motorway and subsequent development, such as the dump being proposed for the northern slope of Tara.

Political affairs officer for TaraWatch Siobhan Rice said: "People camp on Tara all the time. The Tara Vigil is being singled out, not for what they are doing, but because of what they are saying; ie reroute the M3."

"The Vigil speaks for 70% of Irish people who want the M3 moved now, but our Government refuses to listen. They are there to support us. Now it is our turn to support them, and object to their removal."