My heart hurts to see what is happening in the Valley of the Árd Rí

AS an American of Irish descent I cannot express strongly or loudly enough my despair at the cover-up by both the Taoiseach and the Minister of the Environment (and that latter title is a joke) regarding the destruction at Tara.

Recent photos illustrate precisely the damage that is occurring - and if there should be artifacts in the topsoil they are certainly being crushed by the heavy machinery.

At a time when our climate is of the utmost concern and ecosystems all over the world are highly endangered, it seems to me that powerful politicians behind this ridiculous toll road are intent only on taking more money from the people and desecrating the precious land by doing so.

With heatwaves throughout Europe, more heat-retaining tarmacadam and concrete are not the answer. It is obvious that greed has overpowered and replaced the concerns of the people.

I have walked over the hills and raths of Tara, and my heart hurts to see what is happening a mere stone's throw away in the Valley of the Ard Rí. And yes, this blight will be visible from the hill as will the inevitable sprawling, polluting development that most certainly will follow.

This will not be viewed kindly by tomorrow's citizens, or the tourists whose money you happily deposit. Stop the dig, respect the law, save Tara.

Beverly Faulkner

2389 Old Willow Hill Road

New York 14527

USA