Motorway Protest: Carrickmines Castle Occupied

dublin | miscellaneous | feature Saturday August 31, 2002 03:28 by IMC Editorial Group - IMC Ireland

In the early hours of Saturday 1st September activists occupied the archaeological site of Carrickmines Castle in a non-violent direct action that could rival the Glen of the Downs protest. The excavation of the site, which is still incomplete, was wound up on Friday evening to make way for its destruction for the completion of the M50 motorway.

Cian O'Callaghan, media spokesperson said: "575 million euro is being spent on the South Eastern Motorway which is the final part of the M50 C-Ring Motorway around Dublin. It is outrageous that such a large amount of money is been spent without preserving the archaeological site at Carrickmines Castle. The excavations, which ended on Friday, are still vastly incomplete."

Over the weekend, more than 400 members of the public visited the site over the weekend but protestors emphasised that the excavation work was not disturbed at any time. A call has gone out for others to join the protest. Earlier, An Taisce had stated it was considering legal action to prevent the destruction of the site.

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Carrickmines update:

Protesters who are occupying Carrickmines castle have issued an appeal for assistance. This follows the arrival of workmen with chainsaws to the historic site over the last few days. 1 2

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