Tara campaigners to protest against motorway

Campaigners opposed to the controversial M3 motorway running through the historic Tara Valley will hold a series of demonstrations today.

TaraWatch has said it will picket a number of Irish embassies, as well as holding a protest at the Dáil.

The demonstrations come as Environment minister John Gormley holds talks today with European Commissioner for the the Environment Stavros Dimas in Brussels on the motorway project.

Demonstrations are said to be planned in London, New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Campaigners claim international support has grown rapidly since the World Monuments Fund designated Tara one of the 100 Most Endangered sites.

Darren Delahunty, one of the organisers of the London protest said: “Irish people in the UK are outraged at the refusal of the Irish authorities to try and proceed with the road, even when the public are so against it.”

Richard Wallace, who is organising the US events, said: “Irish Americans and the public in general are horrified when they hear of the M3 plans. We are determined to let our opinions be clearly known to the Irish authorities abroad.”

A ’Love Tara’ march will be held on Saturday July 21 in Dublin.