Trim Castle Under Siege

meath | environment | news report Thursday March 18, 2004 16:20 by Indymedia Ireland Editorial Group - Indymedia Ireland

Paddy Day Invaders Protest Minister Cullen's Heritage Record

Paddy Day Protestors protest another example Minister Cullen's disregard for our heritage and the environment.

17th March 2004

A group of a dozen protesting 'celtic warriors' invaded Trim Castle today - at the beginning of the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Trim, County Meath. They entered the castle by climbing the wall with a ladder and then hung a banner stating 'No Hotel Here' opposite the building site of the hotel.

The group wanted to highlight the decision by Trim Town Council to approve plans for a four-story hotel directly opposite Trim Castle, Ireland's largest and most important medieval fortification, Despite the fact that fifty thousand pounds had to be paid out of EU restoration money to buy the site, and 11 nuns were exhumed to make room for a parking lot for the castle, it is now set to house 'Braveheart's Disco'.

The brewing scandal is that the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, declined to accept a recommendation from Heritage officials that an appeal should be lodged, saying he was satisfied that the scheme had been revised to mitigate its impact. Minister for Education - Mr Noel Dempsey (TD, Co Meath) is also seen as a target upon which to vent this new rage. He represents Co. Meath, yet has done little to protect the castle and the area immediately surrounding it - even though an EU plaque on the castle's wall celebrating the protection of heritage bares his name.

The reaction from the local St. Patrick's day revellers was one of suport for the action. Also present at the occasion was local Independent Councillor, Philip Cantwell, who expressed his appreciation and support for the action.