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Letters Irish Examiner, Irish Independent, And More
Gormley 'can't make M3 go away'
Ronan McGreevy
Irish Times
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Minister for the Environment John Gormley has said he has "no magic
wand" to make the M3 motorway go away.
Mr Gormley met protesters against the proposed motorway who picketed
the offices of the Green Party on Suffolk Street in Dublin yesterday.
The meeting, which took place in a restaurant close to party
headquarters, was an impromptu affair which took place as Mr Gormley
was in the vicinity. He said he had no good news for protesters.
"There seems to be a belief among them, and it has been propagated by
some of them, that I have a magic wand and I can make the road go away.
I can't," he said.
"The situation is that this road was agreed to many years ago before
I'd even come in. I don't even drive a car myself.
"I'm not a great enthusiast for motorways in general, but the fact is
that my own function as Minister for the Environment is in the
designation of national monuments.
"I don't have the good news that they want. The good news is that I'm
trying as best I can that any archaeology that is done is done to the
highest standards."
One of the protesters, JP Fay, from Trim, Co Meath, said he impressed
upon the Minister an alternative route which he and others drew up
which would be 3 miles shorter than the proposed motorway
through the Hill of Tara, and would also include a rail link.
"Our meeting was short. It was hello, thank you. He took my phone
number and said he would look up the stuff that I sent to him already,
but I think that it is snow and it will melt."
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Save Our Stones
The Star - Sat, Aug 18
Hill of Tara protestors urge rock relics to back campaign
WRINKLY ROCKERS The Rolling Stones have been urged to use today's
concert tin Slane to campaign against the demolition of an ancient
amphitheatre in the Hill of Tara.
The demolition - part of works needed to build the M3 interchange at
the foot of the hill - has been slammed by the campaigners' group
TaraWatch.
"If the Stones had come to Ireland 3,000 years ago they would have
played in this massive amphitheatre. It is an ancient royal stage,"
Laura Grealish of TaraWatch told The Star.
They have been e-mailing the Stones website for weeks asking the band
to speak out against the works on the hill.
"We already have artists like Louis le Brocquy, Jim Fitzpatrick, Liam O
Maonlai and Colm Toibin speaking out against the proposed route of the
M3. But getting the Stones on board would be a huge boost," Ms Grealish
said.
Campaigners will visit Slane today looking for signatures to help in
their battle against the works.
Meanwhile, fans heading to the concert are beign urged to pack their
waterproofs. Weather forecasters confirmed there is to be no break in
the endless summer downpours.
There will be no unbrlellas allowed in the gig.
////////////////////////////////////////////
TaraWatch canvassing support at Rolling Stones concert
18/08/2007 - 15:59:08
The Rolling Stones take to the stage in Meath tonight for what is likely
to be the last time they play in Ireland.
The legendary band are bringing their 'Bigger Bang' tour to Slane Castle
for their second visit in 25 years.
Meanwhile, members of a group campaigning for the protection of
archaeological remains at Tara are attempting to win support at the
Stones concert.
TaraWatch is handing out stickers and tee-shirts today calling for the
M3 roadworks to be stopped.
///////////////////////////////////////////
Another article on Tara:
http://www.irishabroad.com/Home/Default.aspx
*Protests at Hill of Tara pass off peacefully*
Demonstrations at the Hill of Tara passed peacefully as construction
workers moved in for the first time to excavate the ancient site.
Campaigners initially blocked archaeologists and workmen from entering
the newly-discovered 2,000-year-old site at Lismullen before ending the
stand-off as gardaí and security staff arrived.
Controversy has surrounded the site since the ruins were uncovered by
workers on the M3 motorway last April.
The royal ceremonial enclosure which lies across the northbound lane of
the proposed motorway was declared a national monument by former
environment minister Dick Roche. He controversially signed an order of
preservation by record for the site meaning the prehistoric henge would
be photographed, sketched and measured before being razed to make way
for the motorway.
Current Minister for the Environment John Gormley maintains he does not
have the authority to revoke his predecessor’s decision without a
material change in circumstance despite EU officials calling-on the
Irish Government to halt work.
And TaraWatch which last month handed a petition with 50,000 signatures
opposing the plans to the government are demanding that the excavations
do not commence.
////////////////////////////////////
Letters Metro, Wednesday 15th August 2007
They won't stop for just any body
If the National Roads Authority found a body during the building of the
M3 at Tara, they work would stop for a considerable period. So why, oh
why are these people not stopping when they see our heritage being
destroyed? Do they not care? Or maybe they're foreign builders (no
offence to the foreigners). When our children get older, there will be
nothing to show them. The history of Ireland will be under a motorway.
Protect it, protect our country. Steward, by e-mail
I would like to agree wit what Peter said about Tara. It is a crime to
wipe out thousands of years of history! It is unbelievable that, even
though this insane project has been deemed illegal, they still want to
push it through! I found the online petition against this at
petitionline.com/hilloftara, and so far they have 30,726 signatures.
Maybe it can make them see the importance of stopping the M3.
Claudia, Drogheda
/////////////////////////////////////////
Letters, Metro, Thursday 16 August 2007
Don't tar over Tara
As a foreign national, yes, I do feel offended by your comment on
foreign builders not respecting Tara. We all, Irish and foreigners
alike, should feel concerned because Tara is not only Irish, it's part
of the world's heritage, the same as Egypt's Pyramids, China's Great
Wall or France's Mont-St Michel.
If you look at the online petition, you will see that lots of signatures
come from all over the world. I urge you all to sign the petition at
www. petitiononline.com/hilloftara/petition.html and if you have friends
abroad, ask them to get involved too. Anne, by e-mail
I would love to know just what, exactly, the Green Party actuaqlly got
for propping Bertie Ahern up in Government. From what I've seen so far,
the answer if pretty clear: sweet FA.
Trevor Sargent gets a 'green' car, and a job in the countryside.
Eamon Ryan gets a new office and, erm, that's it. John Gormley get to
hide behind whatever Government spin doctor wall Bertie's used for years
to avoid making any awkward decisions.
Where is he on the Hill of Tara issue? This is an outrageous rape of our
heritage, they're ripping the very guts out of thousands of years of
Irish history.
And our Green minister says absolutely nothing, does nothing and will do
nothing to stop it.
Next up for Mr Gormley is the waste disposal plan for his own
constituency. I wait to see just how much he values the people who put
him in Government when that comes up for approval or rejection.
It will be very interesting to see just how far he is prepared to go to
stay at the top table.
//////////////////////////////////////
Ronan McGreevy
Irish Times
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Minister for the Environment John Gormley has said he has "no magic
wand" to make the M3 motorway go away.
Mr Gormley met protesters against the proposed motorway who picketed
the offices of the Green Party on Suffolk Street in Dublin yesterday.
The meeting, which took place in a restaurant close to party
headquarters, was an impromptu affair which took place as Mr Gormley
was in the vicinity. He said he had no good news for protesters.
"There seems to be a belief among them, and it has been propagated by
some of them, that I have a magic wand and I can make the road go away.
I can't," he said.
"The situation is that this road was agreed to many years ago before
I'd even come in. I don't even drive a car myself.
"I'm not a great enthusiast for motorways in general, but the fact is
that my own function as Minister for the Environment is in the
designation of national monuments.
"I don't have the good news that they want. The good news is that I'm
trying as best I can that any archaeology that is done is done to the
highest standards."
One of the protesters, JP Fay, from Trim, Co Meath, said he impressed
upon the Minister an alternative route which he and others drew up
which would be 3 miles shorter than the proposed motorway
through the Hill of Tara, and would also include a rail link.
"Our meeting was short. It was hello, thank you. He took my phone
number and said he would look up the stuff that I sent to him already,
but I think that it is snow and it will melt."
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Save Our Stones
The Star - Sat, Aug 18
Hill of Tara protestors urge rock relics to back campaign
WRINKLY ROCKERS The Rolling Stones have been urged to use today's
concert tin Slane to campaign against the demolition of an ancient
amphitheatre in the Hill of Tara.
The demolition - part of works needed to build the M3 interchange at
the foot of the hill - has been slammed by the campaigners' group
TaraWatch.
"If the Stones had come to Ireland 3,000 years ago they would have
played in this massive amphitheatre. It is an ancient royal stage,"
Laura Grealish of TaraWatch told The Star.
They have been e-mailing the Stones website for weeks asking the band
to speak out against the works on the hill.
"We already have artists like Louis le Brocquy, Jim Fitzpatrick, Liam O
Maonlai and Colm Toibin speaking out against the proposed route of the
M3. But getting the Stones on board would be a huge boost," Ms Grealish
said.
Campaigners will visit Slane today looking for signatures to help in
their battle against the works.
Meanwhile, fans heading to the concert are beign urged to pack their
waterproofs. Weather forecasters confirmed there is to be no break in
the endless summer downpours.
There will be no unbrlellas allowed in the gig.
////////////////////////////////////////////
TaraWatch canvassing support at Rolling Stones concert
18/08/2007 - 15:59:08
The Rolling Stones take to the stage in Meath tonight for what is likely
to be the last time they play in Ireland.
The legendary band are bringing their 'Bigger Bang' tour to Slane Castle
for their second visit in 25 years.
Meanwhile, members of a group campaigning for the protection of
archaeological remains at Tara are attempting to win support at the
Stones concert.
TaraWatch is handing out stickers and tee-shirts today calling for the
M3 roadworks to be stopped.
///////////////////////////////////////////
Another article on Tara:
http://www.irishabroad.com/Home/Default.aspx
*Protests at Hill of Tara pass off peacefully*
Demonstrations at the Hill of Tara passed peacefully as construction
workers moved in for the first time to excavate the ancient site.
Campaigners initially blocked archaeologists and workmen from entering
the newly-discovered 2,000-year-old site at Lismullen before ending the
stand-off as gardaí and security staff arrived.
Controversy has surrounded the site since the ruins were uncovered by
workers on the M3 motorway last April.
The royal ceremonial enclosure which lies across the northbound lane of
the proposed motorway was declared a national monument by former
environment minister Dick Roche. He controversially signed an order of
preservation by record for the site meaning the prehistoric henge would
be photographed, sketched and measured before being razed to make way
for the motorway.
Current Minister for the Environment John Gormley maintains he does not
have the authority to revoke his predecessor’s decision without a
material change in circumstance despite EU officials calling-on the
Irish Government to halt work.
And TaraWatch which last month handed a petition with 50,000 signatures
opposing the plans to the government are demanding that the excavations
do not commence.
////////////////////////////////////
Letters Metro, Wednesday 15th August 2007
They won't stop for just any body
If the National Roads Authority found a body during the building of the
M3 at Tara, they work would stop for a considerable period. So why, oh
why are these people not stopping when they see our heritage being
destroyed? Do they not care? Or maybe they're foreign builders (no
offence to the foreigners). When our children get older, there will be
nothing to show them. The history of Ireland will be under a motorway.
Protect it, protect our country. Steward, by e-mail
I would like to agree wit what Peter said about Tara. It is a crime to
wipe out thousands of years of history! It is unbelievable that, even
though this insane project has been deemed illegal, they still want to
push it through! I found the online petition against this at
petitionline.com/hilloftara, and so far they have 30,726 signatures.
Maybe it can make them see the importance of stopping the M3.
Claudia, Drogheda
/////////////////////////////////////////
Letters, Metro, Thursday 16 August 2007
Don't tar over Tara
As a foreign national, yes, I do feel offended by your comment on
foreign builders not respecting Tara. We all, Irish and foreigners
alike, should feel concerned because Tara is not only Irish, it's part
of the world's heritage, the same as Egypt's Pyramids, China's Great
Wall or France's Mont-St Michel.
If you look at the online petition, you will see that lots of signatures
come from all over the world. I urge you all to sign the petition at
www. petitiononline.com/hilloftara/petition.html and if you have friends
abroad, ask them to get involved too. Anne, by e-mail
I would love to know just what, exactly, the Green Party actuaqlly got
for propping Bertie Ahern up in Government. From what I've seen so far,
the answer if pretty clear: sweet FA.
Trevor Sargent gets a 'green' car, and a job in the countryside.
Eamon Ryan gets a new office and, erm, that's it. John Gormley get to
hide behind whatever Government spin doctor wall Bertie's used for years
to avoid making any awkward decisions.
Where is he on the Hill of Tara issue? This is an outrageous rape of our
heritage, they're ripping the very guts out of thousands of years of
Irish history.
And our Green minister says absolutely nothing, does nothing and will do
nothing to stop it.
Next up for Mr Gormley is the waste disposal plan for his own
constituency. I wait to see just how much he values the people who put
him in Government when that comes up for approval or rejection.
It will be very interesting to see just how far he is prepared to go to
stay at the top table.
//////////////////////////////////////
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