Mick Clifford: North-South interconnector saga drags on for over two decades 

Locals accept North-South interconnector is important to the electricity grid. But they are seeking 'procedural justice' and for every possible solution, including going underground, to be properly examined

North East Pylon Pressure group cut out the words ‘No Pylons’ into a field outside the town of Trim, Co Meath, when the debate first erupted 19 years ago. Picture: Barry Cronin

The first Padraig O’Reilly heard about the new line of pylons to go through the north-east of the State was from an article in the Meath Chronicle in 2007. 

A new electricity line connecting the network in the Republic to that in the North was needed, the piece stated. This would be vital for the future needs of both jurisdictions. There was an urgency to get it up and running.