Gormley comes under further pressure to halt M3 work

Minister for the Environment John Gormley has come under further pressure to halt work on the M3 motorway.

Campaign group Tarawatch launched a petition today, claiming that there has been a number of changes to the situation at Tara since the former Minister signed the order.

They say work should at least be temporarily stopped pending a review, as the Hill of Tara has now become one of the most endangered sites.

Minister John Gormley, however, said he has tried everything to stop the development - but it is just not possible.

"Unfortunately, there is contract in place, so you're into legal difficulties, you're into factual difficulties and at this stage, unfortunately, I don't think it is possible," he said.

"I've looked at all the legal possibilities, and the [Attorney General] has advised that it isn't possible."