Workers destroy Baronstown at 4am

by Roestown Wed Jul 04, 2007 19:03

Just to show the extent of the site from the air

Another shot

And again

by thomas paine Wed Jul 04, 2007 20:04

Siac as opposed to the generic "worker's" destroyed the site.

by Druid - protestor Wed Jul 04, 2007 20:25 Dublin and Tara! 0876100771

Dear All,

I have been Protesting Peacefully at Soldier's Hill, Barronstown, Collierstown,Dowdstown, Ardsallagh and Trevett for the last few weeks. We desperately need more people to come and stand peacfully with us. So far we have been very successful with small numbers BUT we cant keep it up alone!
Please come PREPARED for the Weather. Mother Nature is taking care of Trevett :)
A Direct Action Account has been set up temporarily while we set up a pay pal account. PLEASE DONATE...the Protestors NEED food, First Aid equipment, emergency items and even a FIVER donation WILL make a Difference. Thankyou for LISTENING. NOW ACT

Direct Action Account Sort Code ....932523
Account Number....21793080

Indymedia, you may use this as a lead story if you wish.

by Observer - The Irish Wed Jul 04, 2007 20:25

Isnt that a shame. Why has it taken nine hours to report this? Why now that nothing can be done? No construction has been undertaken because its not due to start untill Sept.
Barrenstown is gone. Barrenstown is GONE.

by Distraught Wed Jul 04, 2007 20:52

This is a travesty. I agree with the above post. Why did the announcement come so late in the day? People could have arrived to help if we had known. What are the Campaign to Save Tara doing to let this happen?

The protestors should now abandon the tipi, and that forsaken fire. Somebody needs to be camped at each site that remains. It is clearly the only way to protect the sites. If someone with a vehicle could make regular visits with food, etc, then this is a viable option.

If these sites are lost, then the arguments to save the valley are weakened. The NRA must be laughing.

by Miss Demenor Wed Jul 04, 2007 21:00

"Siac as opposed to the generic "worker's" destroyed the site"

Not only are the workers happy to destroy sites but many are willing to go well beyond their job description by assaulting ,threatening and intimidating protesters engaged in non violent direct action .Workers also have engaged in dirty tricks campaign such as purposefully blocking roads with vehicles then blaming the disruption to traffic on protesters.

by Druid Protestor Wed Jul 04, 2007 21:13

Well, take this in too then....the guy that was ASSAULTED is BLIND, apart from the fact that he stands there quietly adding his support to the Peaceful protest with his white stick, you can tell by looking at his face that he is BLIND and he was ON HIS OWN standing there at Soldier's Hill. That is how LOW they will go.

Please ring the Vigil phone number 0861758557 with your ideas on how you can help and LEAVE YOUR MESSAGE and contact details. All messages are listened to. Make it short and sweet please.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.

And PLEEEEEEASE DONATE. We have volunteers who do a food run during the day, we need more help so that we can do our work.

Thankyou.

by antediluvian Wed Jul 04, 2007 22:58

... because the "reporter" was on the scene, with other protesters, trying to make sure further damage didn't occur.

I wasn't there, so I don't really know. But I have been on Tara four times in the last 6 months (and I'm an American), and can tell anyone that cares that the people who are there full time (a few there over a year) are completely burned out. I find it amazing that they still have the gumption to stand in cold rain and mud, blocking machinery for 12+ hours a day, particularly after so much loss and disappointment.

I'm also amazed and saddened that anybody, particularly on this forum, would stoop so low as to criticise any of the efforts put forth by those on the ground, in the Gabhra Valley. Especially anybody who is Irish, sitting in the comfort of their home, while a few brave, beaten souls do the work that thousands should have done years ago.

It should have never gotten to this point, and anybody who is nuts enough to blame the people on the Hill for not being on ALL the dig sites, ALL of the time, should really look in the mirror and do a serious, personal evaluation of themselves.

In the end, the loss of this valley will not be on the shouders of those who were out there, sacrificing themselves on a daily basis, it will be on the shoulders of the Irish arm-chair critics who did nothing, or very little, while a few gave everything they had.

by Pat - none Wed Jul 04, 2007 23:19 none none

I would like to drop off some food and first aid, its not much but i would like to help in some way.
Exactly where should i go to drop them off ?

by Roestown Thu Jul 05, 2007 00:17

Hi Pat,
Ring the Vigil phone 086-1758557 and ask where they are at the time. There is no way to know where the latest push will be.
Thanks for the offer - much appreciated.

by Elaine Thu Jul 05, 2007 02:27

Fair enough, the protesters have been participating in actions for the past few weeks. At long last! This is a multifaceted campaign-there are political, fundraising, action, legal, publicity and other angles to it. The people involved in all of these fronts are stretched, agreed. However, from what I can understand, the protesters on the ground have shunned the advice and assistance of many experienced activists. Everyone is up to their eyes, be they on the ground or at a computer. I am disgusted that Baronstown has been lost, just like Roestown. There is no sense in pointing the finger at those who are working in other capacities to save Tara. The people who are there must bear some responsibility, and not blame those who cannot be there.

I am not part of any particular group, but am well aware of what is going on. You say that contact wasn't made because everyone was protesting-come on, a text message or even word of mouth communication could have spread the word. Members of the Vigil, wake up. You appear to have been manipulated by certain political activists who do not have Tara at heart. Open up, and Tara will be saved.

by Roestown Thu Jul 05, 2007 08:10

You can still vote and comment on the head2head on Ireland.com.
http://scripts.ireland.com/polls/head2head/index.cfm?fuseaction=yesnopoll&pn=3&lastID=61930&subsiteid=352&pollid=7860

by jimbob Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:51

What we need now is a massive effort to get the vote out for the Green Party in the local elections. By backing the Green party's electoral effort we will be able to :

1 Save Tara
2 Stop US warplanes using Shannon Airport
3 Send Shell to Sea
4 Stop co-location and a two tier health service
5 End the plans for Incinerators

We must not involve ourselves in direct action as this can lead to violence and anarchy.

by M Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:56

What planet are you on, Jimbob? The Greens won't do anything. Gormley's not interested. Wait until local elections? Tara will be long gone if we do that. The Green Party do not care, they are far too interested in their new position now.

by Daf Thu Jul 05, 2007 14:10

From what I've seen most of the workers are non-nationals. I can only assume that if the campaign never even tried to reach out to the local community they haven't bothered reaching out to the workers either. Not that it would necessarily make a difference but if you came down off your high horses and stopped mentioning druids etc. you might actually build a campaign.

by M. Ni Bhrolchain Thu Jul 05, 2007 23:54

Hi all,
Just talked to the Vigil.
Just to let you know that there was construction work going on tonight at 10pm and the protesters went onsite as usual. One of them was beaten up by the security guys onsite. They were also threatened with weapons for the first time - pieces of wood with large nails in them.
Work was stopped but the security guys jumped into the diggers and threatened the protesters. They had to jump into the buckets of the machines to escape.
These are new tactics - working through the night. Due to the success of the protesters during the day now they want to work all night.

There is a dire need for cameras, batteries and mob phones for the protesters. There is a dire need for bodies every week day.

Muireann

by Dan Thu Jul 05, 2007 23:57

I can only post this comment tonight as a supporter has a laptop on the hill tonight,will ye all stop the bickering come out of your virtual world .
I`ve been on the hill 12 months
It`s time to come down on the ground and support us.We have been holding off work for 9 weeks and more 7 till 7 with max ten people on a 50 klm stretch
of proposed route.Me personally am not part of any campaign not part of the vigil and i am not religious so all excuses are gone NOW COP ON!

Tonight they were trying to work and we stopped them ,after getting up at 6 am we are a bit stretched lads and lassies,I got kicked in the head by "security" they gave up in the end though!
Slan

by Eartha Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:56 eartha at dsl dot pipex dot com

I managed to get out to Tara at the end of May and again at the begining of June - to Dan and all the others in the front line - standing in front of the diggers - I just wanted to say that I am so glad I was able to be there then and stand with you, even if it was only for a few days. To anyone who has been reading the slanging match going on - ignore what you read - go out to Tara, get up at 5.30am and stand there all day in front of the diggers. Then make your own mind up.

Don't stir up negative stuff with on-line bickering - there is enough destruction going on already. If you can't get out to Tara then do whatever you can that is positive - tell people what is happening, raise awareness, send emails, make phone calls - go to the demonstrations being organised outside the embassies. If you work in a healing way - send healing energies. If you work magically - then do so.

To all the people I met at Tara and at Rath Lugh - I have felt your energy, I have seen your committment, I know why you are there.

Eartha
xx

PS I was at the Glastonbury Tara gig (Sara is a friend of mine) we are doing all we can here in England to raise funds and let people know what is happening.

by Carmel Fri Jul 06, 2007 13:54

Hi,

A Pay Pal Account has finally been set up with the help of my friend Graem in London. Thankyou Graem :)

You may donate to the cause on the ground, to help run the present camp and set up much needed new ones, at the address below:

directactiontosavetara@gmail.com

Thankyou.

Carmel

by Michael Canney - Campaign to Save Tara Fri Jul 06, 2007 16:48

Today's publication of documents relating to the Lismullen National Monument is a welcome indication that there will be a degree of transparency relating to heritage matters under this new coalition government. However, the failure of the Minister to release all materials relating to all the sites which have been uncovered so far is baffling and requires explanation.

The documents released today prove that the National Museum recommended the designation of other sites as National Monuments. The documents make clear that Baronstown, the site destroyed under cover of darkness during the early hours of Tuesday morning, was considered a National Monument by Pat Wallace, the Director of the National Museum.

Other sites such as Dowdstown and Collierstown in particular are of national and international significance. We believe their non-designation is based, not on sound archaeological judgment, but on political expediency and the desire not to interfere with powerful local and national vested interests. The willful ignoring and downplaying of expert advice from the National Museum is further proof that we are witnessing what amounts to nothing less than a scandal.

We call on Minister Gormley to review and make public all documentation relating to all archaeology in the Valley. These documents should be assessed from a heritage standpoint and not in relation to infrastructural development. Preservation in-situ of these monuments should be first option to be considered, as there are benefits to the community of continued existence of archaeological monuments with visible above ground features. The above sites all have impressive and visible above ground features.

The vast majority of the people of this country want this road re-routed away from the Valley and it is only a small but powerful minority who support the present proposed route. Tara and its environs belong to the people of this country and are too precious to be destroyed for short-term gain. Our archaeological heritage is a unique and non-renewable cultural and scientific resource that must be cherished and protected.

Minister Gormley's ‘landscape preservation’ initiative contains nothing that will prevent wholesale development within the Valley. He simply assures us that he will review all planning applications, his predecessor Dick Roche promised exactly the same thing. If the Government believes that this initiative will make the route more acceptable they are mistaken.

The prospect of a four-lane tolled motorway, including a 26 acre interchange, through the richest archaeological and cultural landscape in Ireland is unacceptable, and no assurances as to the future use of land in its vicinity will change this.

ENDS

by Glastonbury Bob Fri Jul 06, 2007 16:57

hi ,im new to this campaign,as only found out when there was as gig in aid of tara by tarawatch in glastonbury.
Its amazing to think what is going on.Lets hope all the funds go to all camps.

I would like to say thanks to Sara for organising and Daz for chatting to me and giving me info on tarawatch.

thanks guys,

Bob

by Mary Fri Jul 06, 2007 17:06

Road to Ruin

Archaeology Magazine - A publication of the Archaeological Institute of America
http://www.archaeology.org/online/features/tara/ (follow link for images)

July 2, 2007

by Laura Sexton

On June 14, 2007, construction resumed on a four-lane highway near the Hill of Tara in central Ireland. Traditionally the seat of the high kings of Ireland, the landscape is littered with burial mounds, rock art, earthen enclosures, and stone monuments. Tara, which has been described as Ireland's equivalent of Stonehenge, was named one of the 100 most endangered sites by the World Monuments Fund this year.

Given Tara's cultural significance and national monument status, it is not surprising that the Irish government met resistance when it announced plans for a 60 km road running straight through the Gabhra Valley between Tara and the nearby Hill of Skreen. Archaeologists and historians claimed that the entire valley, not just the hill, contains historical monuments and artifacts and should therefore be protected. In its defense, the National Roads Association (NRA) argued that a new road was necessary because the existing N3 highway is deteriorating, thereby making travel dangerous and inefficient for drivers between Dublin and Navan. A deal was signed with Eurolink, an independent contractor, and construction began in Spring 2006.

The M3 proposal was heavily criticized, especially after the recent discovery of Lismullin, a ceremonial enclosure located on the edge of the valley, just 2 km (1.24 mi) away from Tara. It is thought to be from the Early Iron Age, which would make it at least 2,000 years old. The site consists of an outer enclosure 80 m in diameter and an inner enclosure 16 m in diameter. Both are bounded by two rings of stakeholes, suggesting that they were initially made from timber. It has been argued that the presence of a ritual site in the Gabhra Valley confirms earlier claims that Tara is a complex of historical monuments, and not only an isolated hill.

After the discovery of Lismullin, all works near the site were put on hold. Section 14 of the National Monuments Act of 2004 requires that road development stop when a historically significant monument is discovered in its path. The road authority must also report the find to the minister for the environment, who is in charge of providing directions to secure its preservation. In the case of Lismullin, Minister Dick Roche ordered that the site be preserved "by record." In other words, archaeologists record their findings as they excavate, and then the site is demolished to make room for the new highway.

Several concerns were raised in response to Roche's plan of action. First, many questioned the validity of the NRA's refusal to protect the entire Tara complex, including Lismullin. Prior to construction, the NRA conducted surveys to determine the best highway route from an archaeological point of view. The surveys revealed 38 sites on the chosen route, none of which they said were culturally or historically significant (click here for map). The NRA still says on its M3 motorway website that, "An unprecedented level of archaeological study and investigation has been carried out as part of the planning process and is continuing prior to construction. It is, therefore, unlikely that any major archaeological site would be uncovered during the construction stage." The M3 was chosen and given the go-ahead largely because of the NRA's claim that the route would not disrupt culturally significant areas.

Although the NRA insists on the quality and rigor of its initial surveys, the discovery of Lismullin exposes the shortcomings of that work. Irish politician Olivia Mitchell notes that Lismullin, "isn't a small [fortification] or a single standing stone, it's the size of three football fields." Indeed, if preliminary surveys missed a site as large and significant as Lismullin, then there is a very real possibility that road developers will unexpectedly run into other historically significant sites as the project continues.

So what's the harm with discovering new sites along the way? After all, only a few sites have ever been excavated in the area. The NRA therefore argues that road construction is a positive development that spurred archaeological research which may not have otherwise occurred. Ronan Swan, the acting head archaeologist at the NRA, states, "The intense archaeological work being done along this route would not have been done. ...Without the road going through, you wouldn't have had this high level of excavation taking place."

However, archaeologists and activists are not so optimistic. According to Vincent Salafia of Tarawatch, an organization committed to protecting Tara Hill, one problem is that severe time constraints make it highly unlikely that the site will be recorded properly. John Waddell, head of the archaeology department at the National University of Ireland, Galway, worries about the use of 22-ton mechanical diggers. (Click here for the university's Tara website.) Although they provide quick access to lower layers of soil, removing upper layers believed to contain few remains, mechanical diggers are likely to destroy delicate artifacts close to the surface. Save Tara, another preservation group, echoed this concern, and requested an independent assessment of the damage caused by mechanical diggers at Lismullin. In general, archaeologists are upset with Roche's decision because they fear that the information will not be documented as thoroughly as it would be in an independent research project. Anthropologist Ronald Hicks of Ball State University warns, "Archaeology is by its very nature highly destructive. And any data not recovered in the process are lost forever." (Hicks's full statement is online here.)

Aside from attacking the archaeology, many argue that the M3 is simply unnecessary given the availability of more reasonable alternatives. The Save Tara organization, along with Ciaran Cuffe, environmental spokesperson of the Green Party, would both prefer to reinstate the Navan-Clonsilla railway, which would provide a link between Navan and Dublin. Rather than building the M3 to bypass newly populated towns, they suggest reducing congestion through improvements in public transportation. The rail line was closed in 1963, but could be restored in a five-year period.

Salafia is convinced that there is a more practical solution to the problem. Since the contract to build the M3 has already been signed, he argues that moving the highway is more feasible than abandoning it altogether. Salafia recommends a route farther west than the planned M3 course. A western road would avoid major archaeological sites, provided it is placed outside of Ringlestown Rath, which delimits the Tara complex on the west. The NRA warns that a western route would "visually obstruct" the panoramic view from atop the Hill of Tara, but Salafia maintains that the road could be hidden given the topographical features of the area.

Accusations that the NRA implemented flawed archaeology and overlooked reasonable alternatives made many uneasy about Roche's decision to demolish the site after it had been documented. Interestingly, after all of the controversy surrounding his decision, Roche will not have the final word on the issue. John Gormley of the preservation-conscious Green Party recently took office as Roche's successor. He began serving on June 15, just one day after Roche's decision. According to Section 22 of the Interpretation Act of 2005, the Minister for the Environment can amend or overturn previous decisions. Gormley therefore has the power to reverse Roche's controversial decision.

Curiously, Gormley does not seem terribly eager to do so. He initially stated, "I will be looking at the documentation in the coming days, but I think it is fair to say that I cannot really do anything about our previous minister's decisions." Later--perhaps after the Interpretation Act was brought to his attention--he stated that, "based on the advice received, the decision cannot be reversed." According to Salafia, the Green Party has begun to accept their minister's reluctance to reroute the M3. Salafia himself admits that political action from Gormley is unlikely.

Many speculate that both ministers are tied down by political negotiations. At the end of the general election in May, the reigning party, Fianna Fail, lost seven parliament seats, six of which went to the Green Party. The two sides subsequently entered into negotiations, ultimately deciding that Fianna Fail would stay in power, provided they granted certain concessions to the Green Party. Other Green issues, such as pollution and global warming, were apparently pushed at the expense of protecting Tara. It may therefore be the case that Gormley cannot reverse the decision without violating the contract between the two parties.

To ensure a constitutional decision, Tarawatch will continue to protest, and even take legal action if necessary. In court, Salafia would attack Roche on grounds that he did not follow legal procedure correctly. He states, "The decision that was made by the minister is a decision that is very specifically prescribed in the National Monuments Act itself. ...It's all clearly mapped out for him. A judicial review is not a review of the substance of the decision--say, whether it's a good or bad decision--but a review of the procedure." Salafia hopes to show that a proper ruling under Irish law would entail the preservation of the entire Tara complex.

There are eight weeks left to protest, at which point legal action must be taken, or else the opportunity will expire under Ireland's statute of limitations. In this eight-week period, Salafia says that Tarawatch will do everything it can to pressure Gormley into making a decision. "We don't want to go to court. We want the minister to make the decision himself," he says, "But if push comes to shove and we have to go to court, then we will obviously change gears and put most of our energy into that arena." The fate of Tara, a monument more than 2,000 years old, may come down to a mere matter of weeks.

Laura Sexton is an undergraduate majoring in History, Philosophy, and Social Studies of Science and Medicine at the University of Chicago.

© 2007 by the Archaeological Institute of America
www.archaeology.org/online/features/tara

by JD Fri Jul 06, 2007 18:48

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/0706/breaking68.htm

by john gormley Fri Jul 06, 2007 19:25

Unfortunately my delay in releasing these documents for the last week allowed time for SIAC/NRA to destroy another monument at Baronstown - this raft of documents is the first concrete proof that the National Museum have been advising the designation of other significant sites for months. Er...sorry.

by Michael Martin - TaraWatch Sat Jul 07, 2007 09:57 Wicklowwolf at yahoo dot com

A TaraWatch meeting will be held today (Saturday). Come to the Spar coffee shop on corner Abbey Street/Capel Street, Dublin at 2 pm.

by from barking Sat Jul 07, 2007 12:50

Where has Tarawatch.org gone?
When you search for it this is the message:

Account for domain tarawatch.org has been suspended

by carnsore point Sat Jul 07, 2007 14:00

This strand is a sad reflection on this campaign. If you are all going to whine and attack each other do it in private emails. Are you all as stupid as this stuff makes you look. ?????
Keep whining, fights about money, personal attacks OUT of the public eye. This applies to all sides but I esp. urge CST to really examine where they are going with this and cut out the mud slinging.
ps i just checked and tarawatch.org appears to be still active, file comment re this under "bickering"?

by Mandy Sat Jul 07, 2007 14:45

Well he would say that, wouldn't he?

"He (Minister Gormley) said he had received 'unequivocal' advice from the Attorney General (Paul Gallagher) that, without a change in material circumstances relating to the newly discovered monument, it 'is not open to him to review, or amend, the directions given by his predecessor in this case'." (Irish Times at http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/0706/breaking68.htm )

Where's "Tin God" Paul Gallagher getting this verbal rubbish from - the Bilderberg Group, or is the Trilateral Commission maybe?

Paul Gallagher knows perfectly well that laws can be found to be unconstitutional by the High Court or the Supreme Court.

Laws can also be repealed can they not? - in other words annulled, rescinded, revoked - because, for example, they are found to be the stinking-rotten product of corrupt PPP type swindlers working hand-in-hand with their many corrupt lackeys in the legal profession.

What's to stop Minister Gormley, or ANYBODY else living in the Republic of Ireland, from initiating the procedure at http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/government-in-ireland/irish-constitution-1/unconstitutional_legislation_and_decisions for the purpose of showing that the law (National Monuments Amendment Act 2004) used by former Environment Minister Roche to destroy heritage sites is bogus, for the simple reason it violates the Constitution - as constitutional law expert Dr Hogan has explained in public at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/01/13/wtara13.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/01/13/ixworld.html ?

It's time to stop the tinkering with this problem, and to go for the jugular.

Nothing less is any good at this late stage.

Who in their right minds really believes that the protesters on the Hill of Tara can stop the destruction by themselves? These good people can delay the destruction, and many like myself are extremely grateful to them for doing that, but they can't possibly stop it - not unless the "law" being used is SOON publicly exposed for what it really is: ILLEGAL RUBBISH.

by Michael Martin - TaraWatch Sat Jul 07, 2007 17:50 Wicklowwolf at yahoo dot com

Our website is down due to technical/administrative problems.. The person responsible for the site is currently out of computer reach. But TaraWatch isn't gone (sorry CST, but you have to put the champagne back on ice again!), and the site will be restored again in the not too distant future.
For the time being check out our other site at

by internet bod Sat Jul 07, 2007 17:59

your site is down because a request was sent to your domain host to suspend it. Oh! a little titbit which might perhaps b eof interest to people who care for Tara & don't care for Ego - is the news that the wikipedia entry on Michael Vincent O'Toole (born 1966) who goes under the moniker Vincent Salafia is still scheduled for delete. That's what you get when you write your own encyclopedia page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vincent_Salafia&action=history

Now a wee bit of truth would be pleasant.

by Webmaster - CST Sun Jul 08, 2007 16:35

Michael,

I don't take kindly to threats and always react pro-actively to same.

The Web Team at savetara.com do not engage in such tactics, even if it were possible.
I note the Error Page says the site is "suspended"
This means your Hosting Service has put a block on it.............it has not been deleted or removed.
Websites are usually suspended if they violate certain codes of conduct or if they distribute spam or viruses.
ISPs are bound by a "duty of care" in certain countries. You need to talk to your ISP for definitive answers.

I sympatise with your plight and I hope you get it back up again very soon.
It is an excellent Website and a very useful resource particularily on the Legal aspect of this campaign.

Webmaster,
Campaign to Save Tara.

by Michael Martin - TaraWatch Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:35 Wicklowwolf at yahoo dot com

Technical problems solved, folks. TaraWatch wbsite is up and running again. Click on

by W. Finnerty. Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:56

Parts of a report from John Burke and Pat Leahy at The Sunday Business Post (dated 08 July 2007) read as follows:

"The government and the European Commission are on a collision course over the €184 billion National Development Plan (NDP), following a formal warning from the EU that the entire project is in breach of European law."

"The (European Union) commission has also raised concerns over the destruction of an archaeological find at Lismullin in Meath, sanctioned by former minister Dick Roche, connected to the M3 Tara motorway."

The full text of yesterday's Sunday Business Post article can be viewed at:
http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=NEWS-qqqs=news-qqqid=25007-qqqx=1.asp

by cck Mon Jul 09, 2007 13:09

"The government and the European Commission are on a collision course"

By the time the european commission gets its act together we'll all be talking to our ancestors.
We can't wait for europe.

by Tara campaigner Mon Jul 09, 2007 14:38

M3 protest outside Green offices

Last Updated: 09/07/2007 13:46
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/0709/breaking2.htm

Campaigners today opened a petition outside Green Party headquarters demanding that Minister for the Environment John Gormley re-route the controversial M3 motorway.

The event, organised by TaraWatch, is calling for the road to be diverted away from the ancient Hill of Tara site in Co Meath.

"The purpose of the petition is to compel Minister Gormley to act to protect Tara, so that Irish citizens are not forced to risk seeking relief in the courts," campaigner Vincent Salafia said.

The group claim that Minister Gormley has both the power and duty to protect the national monuments at Tara.

However, in earlier statements Mr Gormley said he could not revisit his predecessor's decisions unless there was "a material change in circumstances."

In their petition today Tarawatch claim five changes have taken place that would allow the minister to re-route the motorway.

They say the inclusion of the Hill of Tara on the World Monuments Fund's List of 100 Most Endangered Sites, possible EU action against the NDP and the discovery of an important underground complex at Lismullin are all "material changes in circumstances".

Campaigners also said that flaws in NRA methodology and the fact that the M3 was planned and approved in 2003 using outdated analysis are other reasons not to go ahead with the project.

"Minister Gormley must act now to correct the mistakes of the past, or the entire National Development Plan, and every project in it, may brought to a standstill," Mr Salafia added.

Minister comes under further pressure to halt M3 work
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/ireland/article2748340.ece
Monday, July 09, 2007

The Environment Minister has come under further pressure to halt work on the M3 motorway.
Campaign group Tarawatch launched a petition today, claiming that there has been a number of changes to the situation at Tara since the former Minister signed the order.

They say work should at least be temporarily stopped pending a review, as the Hill of Tara has now become one of the most endangered sites.

The Environment Minister John Gormley, however, said he has tried everything - but it's just not possible.

"Unfortunately, there is contract in place, so you're into legal difficulties, you're into factual difficulties and at this stage, unfortunately, I don't think it is possible," he said.

"I've looked at all the legal possibilities, and the [Attorney General] has advised that it isn't possible."

Petition is located at: http://www.petitiononline.com/taram3/petition.html

by maybe Mon Jul 09, 2007 20:31

Maybe if the shouting stopped, people would listen to you. It might be hard to understand
being overseas but it is absolutely necessary to have distinct camaigns with different
emphasis. an issue as big as Tara requires multiple levels of experience and I think
that Tarawatch and CST would both acknowledge that difference of approach is necessary.
I do not understand why an international media campaign would seek to lead on the issue
of Tara when personnel are required at community level, indeed, not one person , no
matter how driven can collate and organise necessary research and expertise.
things get lost or dropped when one campaign cannot cover all angles- a bit of acceptance
of different methodologies is required and good leadership on eco would recognise that.
This however does not explain the relentless attacks on a group with a differing
methodology of approach. Both CST and Tarawatch have on the newswire recognised
difference of application and approach so there should be no problem or ground s for
attack, surely to goodness?
My understanding is that Tarawatch is primarily litigant and CST a working umbrealla
group for community action. thats simple enough to understand and accept?

by watcher UK - Jolly Foreinger Mon Jul 09, 2007 21:05

Well i am not shouting at any one thanks,Just expressing my thoughts,the International Media are taking an interest in Tara because a lot of them can not believe what your Govt is doing ,they change the rules to suite themselves,
So 'maybe' us jolly foreigners should leave you alone and let you watch TARA be destroyed.There are people World wide doing there bit for Tara ,all i m saying is lets combine the energies of all camps for the fight not belittle each other.

Jolly foreigner 'Watcher UK'

by dear watcher uk Mon Jul 09, 2007 21:18

The campaigns are separate but the aim is the same. now a directing of all the
energy into doing both legal and community- a two pronged -front would be nice,
wouldn't it?
Afterall putting all the eggs into a single basket reduces the ability to fan and out
get things done, its a simple enough premise, isn't it?
Both campaigns have a job to do and should be let get on with it, you should choose
which one suits your need to articulate your obvious energy and just ignore the other
one and realise that maybe a different approach will give the same result- like the footie!

by Mick Egan - None Mon Jul 09, 2007 21:41

"Maybe" you've almost nailed it in your assessment of the two Groups.
Tarawatch through Vincent Salafia pursued the failed Legal Case/s in this Campaign and in fact keep promising/threatening further Cases.
The latest such attempt came when they claimed to have found/uncovered two new Souterrains in proximinity to the Lismullin Nat. Monument and that these constituted the "material change" John Gormley said he needed to overturn Dick Roche's decision of 12th. June.
The two souterrains appeared on CST's website in April prior to the declaration of Lismullin as a Nat. Monument! Anyway I digress too much.

CST's approach seems to me to be more of a political approach to the problem of solving the Tara issue - in my view the only realistic approach.
A Legal Case will only succeed in delaying the inevitable as the Government will simply enact new legislation to get around any unfavourable judgement.

CST's approach before, during and after the recent General Election succeeded in putting a "dead issue" right to the top of the "Agenda" throughout that period and after - rumour has it that negotiations between the Greens and FF on forming a Government almost came to blows on it.

OK it didnt work out. Not CST's fault. Not Tarawatch's fault. But it came closer than any one else ever has and it still remains the only hope for Tara.

What is needed now is for Tara to give John Gormley, Conor Newman, Dr. Pat