Tara campaigners seek legal advice

Campaigners who lost a lengthy court battle to reroute the controversial M3 motorway are seeking legal advice over reports on the archaeological heritage in the area.

The TaraWatch group, led by Vincent Salafia, have asked lawyers to look into whether a High Court ruling backing the road may be struck out.

The Sixth World Archaeological Congress, which began in Dublin today, is examining a report by an expert who assessed the significance of historical sites along the M3 route in Co Meath.

It has questioned archaeological findings which paved the way for work to begin on the road.

“Legal advice is immediately being sought,” he said.

“We are calling for a full Dáil investigation into the affair. There may be a possibility of vacating the judgment, or at a minimum, suing for damages.

“Work should cease immediately on M3, and the entire matter needs to be re-evaluated.”

The High Court ruled in 2005 that none of the 38 areas examined before construction began were national monuments and that the wider area around the Hill of Tara could not be considered a single national monument.

Mr Salafia withdrew plans for a Supreme Court appeal on the basis the Government would not pursue him over a 600,000 euro legal bill following the failed action.

He added: “While many of the national monuments are gone, the M3 is still two years from completion, and should not be completed through the middle of the Tara landscape.”

TaraWatch will this week meet officials from the Unesco group as they continue their campaign to have the Hill of Tara and surrounding lands declared a World Heritage Site.