NEWS FROM DOWN THE COUNTRY

national | environment | news report Saturday October 03, 2009 15:27 by Contaminated Crow

Seven masts, an incinerator, hazardous waste, a quarry and wind turbines

Up to 80 people attended a public meeting in Annascaul, Co. Kerry, last Friday in opposition to a proposed Tetra telemast at which it was proposed they should cooperate with other communities facing similar problems to mount a High Court challenge. A statement by the residents was read out at Monday’s meeting of Kerry County Council outside which some residents protested. Residents have been occupying the entrance to the site for the last fortnight by day and by night. (Kerryman (sic) 30/9/09, p. 24).

A packed meeting last week at the community hall in Belclare, Co. Galway heard local concerns about a proposed Hutchinson 3G (H3G) mast near the village. Submissions against the proposal have been lodged with Galway County Council and a petition is being prepared. (Tuam Herald 1/10/09, p. 9).

The Eagle Hill Mast Committee (EHMT), which is opposing a H3G mast at Ballinamult, Co. Waterford, has begun collecting a fighting fund for its campaign. A meeting called by the EHMT last Friday in Touraneena Community Centre was addressed by a planning expert and by Pauline Keeley, a community activist from Dublin who has assisted communities fighting masts around the country. (Dungarvan leader 2/10/09, p. 4).

H3G said it recently met with objectors to some of its masts in Co. Mayo, where an application in Fahy has resulted in ten observations to the County Council, one signed by 77 people, an application in Kilmeena was objected to by 60 signatories and 20 letters of objection have been filed in relation to a proposed mast at Kilmaine. (Western People 29/9/09, p. 10).

Clare County Council has given RTE permission for a new 525-feet high mast at Maghera in east Clare despite concerns raised by An Taisce and the Department of the Environment. (Clare People 29/9/09, p. 14).

North East Against incineration (NEAI) has condemned An Bord Pleanala for deferring the date of the oral hearing into the proposed incinerator at Nobber, Co. Meath, for a week to facilitate attendance by experts for the applicants College Proteins and for the fact that NEAI heard of the deferral at second hand. Some NEAI members had already booked time off work to attend the deferred hearing and some of their experts will not be available to appear on the new date. (Meath Chronicle 3/10/09, p. 15).

A public meeting is to take place on Wednesday September 30th in The Naul, Co. Dublin, over the proposal by Murphy Environmental to locate a facility there to treat hazardous ash from the Indaver incinerator at Duleek. (Meath Chronicle 3/10/09, p. 15).

Sligo County Council is taking proceedings against Liam Scott Construction Ltd. for an unauthorised development of a concrete batching plant at its quarry at Killeenduff, Easkey, Co. Sligo. (Western People 29/9/09, p. 8).

An Bord Pleanala has granted permission for two wind turbines near Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, refusing an appeal by The Residents’ Group of Boherlody, Lisgariff West and Knockmeale. (Tipperary Star 1/10/09, p. 11).