Tara protesters demonstrate against Ahern in Meath

Save Tara demonstrators are today marking Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's reign as “a monument to bad planning, and unsustainable development”.

Demonstrations are under way at the Battle of the Boyne site in Co Meath, and more are planned for 6pm this evening, when Mr Ahern turns in his seal of office to the President, at Áras an Uachtaráin.

Vincent Salafia of TaraWatch said: “When it come to the environment, Bertie has not been a 'fixer' or a 'peacemaker'. He has been a wrecker, and a bully.

"The Tara dispute is driving a stake through the tourist potential of Ireland, which is the only industry that we will have left to rely on, if things keep going the way they are.

"We will now be closing the Bertie petition, and launching a UNESCO petition, to ask them to insist that the M3 be rerouted, before Tara is declared a World Heritage Site."