Legal threat over protection of North ice-age site

The North's Environment Minister could face a legal challenge over his withdrawal of protection for an ice-age site in Co Tyrone, it was warned tonight.

Friends of the Earth (FoE) urged Sammy Wilson to protect glacial deposits at Lisnaragh near Donemana but threatened court action if he refuses.

The minister is considering the matter afresh following Assembly claims that not all the evidence had been taken into account.

FoE director John Woods claimed: “Minister Wilson has been riding roughshod over environmental legislation and now is the time to draw a line in the sand.

“Either he grants this site the protection it deserves or we will see him in court.”

Mr Wilson cancelled the designation of the moraine as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) at the end of October but may restart the process.

Landowners were unhappy about the protection and the Environment Committee had asked for further work on evidence.

Mr Woods added: “Despite the repeated assurances of his statutory advisors and officials that the geological science was robust and the consultation process comprehensive, he left this site without any legal protection.

“Mr Wilson’s interference in the scientific work of his department undermines the many hardworking officials who are doing their best to give Northern Ireland’s environment the protection it deserves.

“Sammy Wilson has unintentionally but convincingly made the case for an independent environmental protection agency, something he has vociferously opposed.”