EU Commission probes Tara monument demolition

THE planned demolition of the Lismullen national monument in Tara to make way for the M3 motorway is being investigated by the European Commission.

The National Roads Authority has been asked to explain why an environmental impact assessment (EIA) was not carried out on the site once the monument was discovered during the road works.

The issue is part of the contention by the European Commission that Ireland’s planning regulations are not fully in accord with EU law. They do not require an EIA for demolition work.