Tara find justifies opposition to M3

AT this late stage in the M3 motorway construction, the henge at Lismullin is an impressive find.

The wood henge monument is within the shadow of Rath Lugh and echoes the great palisaded enclosure found by the Government-funded Discovery Programme some years ago on the hilltop of Tara.

However, this is only one site that, at the discretion of the developer, has been considered a national monument.

Given that this clearly brings the ceremonial and ritual activity into the valley, the arguments made years ago by the academics and world experts (ie, that Tara was not just the Hill but also local landscape, and should be avoided) are justified.

When taken together with nearby Barronstown and Collierstown, we can appreciate how sacred and unique this valley is.

This landscape is not just any valley, this is Tara. This is where we get our national and international identity. The harp, presidential seal, State seals, army uniforms and coinage; the shamrock, cultural and religious identity recognisable the world over — all came from this place.

This is not just a Tara issue, looking at the bigger picture it sets a dangerous precedent regarding, civil rights, cultural diversity and the constitution.

This route defies logic. It defies everything Irish.

We are taking this insult from the same people who gave us e-voting, the health crisis, transport chaos, the repatriation of Irish profits by large multinational companies such as in the recent Rossport scandal, nursing home scandals and dithering on the water crisis in Galway.

Citizenship rights have been eroded to such an extent that Ireland has become the most centralised government in Europe.

Under the Aarhus Convention, governance at local level is a citizen’s right. This part of the legislation supersedes Irish law and yet is swept under the carpet here. Authorities are acting illegally when they ignore the wishes of the majority of the people, such as the mass movement of people battling to save Navan’s fair green from commercial development or indeed 70% nationwide opposition to the M3 route.

It is not right for one man nor one government to decide Tara’s fate.

I fear that soon 40 shades of green will be gone and in its place will be left 40 shades of grey.

Martin Dier

Assistant Secretary

Meath Archaeological and Historical Society

3 Kennedy Crescent

Navan

Co Meath