Two Communities in Crisis Call Out for Support.

national | environment | news report Wednesday May 31, 2006 00:56 by Niall Harnett - Gluaiseacht.

Call Out from Bantry Concerned Action Group & Kildimo/Pallaskenry Spring Water Committee who are forced into blockades of ESB and Limerick Co. Council, respectively.

In Co. Cork, the ESB (Electricity Supply Board) wants to route 12-14km of overhead Power Lines and Pylons from Dromourneen to Ballylickey, just North of Bantry in West Cork. 27 local landowners who form the Bantry Concerned Action Group are saying NO because of health, safety and environmental concerns. They say ... 'Put the power line under the ground, where it's safer and it's impact is less severe.' The ESB say 'No, we'll put it where we want and the Electricity Supply Act of 1927 gives us the power to do what we like on your land'.

In Co. Limerick, the communities of Kildimo and Pallaskenry are fighting for the retention of their Spring Water source and supply from Bleach Lough lake, while Limerick County Council want to connect them to a new water supply ... the polluted, yes POLLUTED River Deel!

Both communites have been forced reluctantly into the last resort of blocking machinery and personnel THIS WEEK, and are CALLING OUT FOR SUPPORT.

Last week the ESB sought and were granted a high court injunction, which from June 1st onwards, 'prohibits' the landowners in Bantry from blocking any work on the power lines and pylons. The Bantry Concerned Action Group have decided to ignore that injunction and face the consequences, and will be protesting against and blockading the work from this Thursday June 1st onwards, until the ESB agree to put the power lines underground.

The Kildimo/Pallaskenry Communities are awaiting a judicial review of their case against Limerick Co. Council on June 15th, and members of their committee have given an 'UNDERTAKING' to the courts not to interfere with work on the 'new' water pipeline, PENDING THAT REVIEW. However, Limerick Co. Council have taken advantage of that undertaking and tried to move in to day with contractors and machinery, which forced the committee members' wives and children to come out and blockade the work ... with success ... but not without intimidation from Limerick Co. Council. The committee members are reviewing their undertaking because of the need to strengthen the blockades tomorrow Wednesday against these bullying tactics of Limerick Co. Council.

Both communites need support at this crucial time. This article is an attempt to garner some support and solidarity for them.

I'll be travelling to Limerick and then on to Cork to meet the communities and present more detailed photo reports over the next few days, hopefully, so please stay tuned.

More importantly, If you can get to Bantry, Co Cork and/or Kildimo/Pallaskenry, Co limerick, please do try.
Contact me at 086 8444966 for more details.

Bantry Concerned Action Group concerns outlined here:

http://www.woodlandleague.org/communities/bcag/

Previous report on Kildimo by Elaine here: