New legal regime for our heritage

THE High Court has ruled against the challenge brought by objectors to works on the M50 motorway on the site of Carrickmines Castle.

The constitutionality of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 2004 has been upheld by the court and a new statutory regime for Irish archaeology begins.

As the representative body for Irish archaeologists we welcome some aspects of the new legislation. For instance, it seeks to resolve the recurring conflicts between monuments legislation and development needs in a way that considers public interest in the broadest possible terms.