Protest at Dail a great success today

dublin | environment | news report Thursday July 06, 2006 14:22 by Siobhan - TaraWatch events at tarawatch dot org

Greens, Sinn Fein and Independents came to show support

Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the Dail today to protest the M3 at Tara and the passage of the Strategic Infrastructure Bill. Even a hrose showed up! Pity Indymedia did't, so we have no photos for the moment.

The protest this morning was a huge success. We had a coulpe of dozen
people, great banners...and yes, a horse! ;-)

We got great media attention. Laods of photograpgers and RTE news and
press association. I just did a piece for the RTE News at One radio
show.

Ciaran Cuffe of the Greens, Sean Crowe of Sinn Fein and Toney Gregory,
Independent, came out to show support. Ciaran got on the horse, and
looked very pleased with himself. But we had some lovely children
there too, and hopefully their picture on the horse gets in.

Thanks to Mary, Colin, James, Martin, Vincent, John, and the many others who
came. Carolyn did a beautiful flag; green with the harp and 'Save
Tara' in gold.

Here is a story on the newswire, that does have a few inaccuricies, but what's new. Rathnew should read Rath Lugh - and there was no vow to start a political party.

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=188156060&p...56766
Tara protesters may contest next election
06/07/2006 - 11:45:01

Campaigners blocking the M3 motorway near Tara in Co Meath may form a political protest party to run at the next general election, it emerged today.

The High Court ruled in March that the route did not impinge on the ancient Hill of Tara site but TaraWatch is currently appealing this decision to the Supreme Court.

TaraWatch supporters today held a demonstration outside the Dáil to protest at the passage of the Strategic Infrastructure Bill through parliament on Tuesday.

TaraWatch spokesman Vincent Salafia, who already faces a €600,000 bill over failed legal challenges, vowed to form a political party to fight the issue at the next general election.

“If the mainstream political parties don’t bite on the issue, then we will have to form our own political grouping,” said Mr Salafia.

“There is a lot of support for our campaign on the ground and there will be a lot of votes on the doorsteps come general election time.

“We believe that 70% of people want the M3 rerouted away from Tara but the Government isn’t listening to them.”

“If we cannot stop the motorway in the courts, we will try to stop it in the Dáil.”

TDs Tony Gregory (Independent), Sean Crowe (Sinn Féin) and Ciaran Cuffe (Green Party) attended today’s demonstration, which was themed ’For the Children.’

Mr Salafia added: “The Government has worked hard at avoiding, rather than finding a solution to the problem of their own creation.

“This issue is a test for Opposition parties to show that they have vision and can solve problems.”

Mr Salafia claimed the successful passage through the Dáil of the Strategic Infrastructure Bill, which fast-tracks major infrastructure projects, will limit the ability of citizens to challenge planning decisions in court.

“The Government and its developer cronies are wrecking our children’s environment and cultural inheritance. They are also stripping away their legal and civil rights to object.

A candle-lit walk will be held later this month along the route of the motorway from Rathnew to Tara.

TaraWatch is also currently compiling an album of songs to raise funds and promote awareness of the campaign.

Entitled 'Tara of the Kings', it will feature musicians Paddy Casey and Ronan O Snodaigh.

The title track is taken from a poem written by Co Armagh poet Paul Muldoon.