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An Taisce Challenge to M3 fails

category meath | history and heritage | news report author Wednesday April 04, 2007 16:05author by TaraWatchauthor email info at tarawatch dot org Report this post to the editors

The High Court today rejected an application for leave to seek judicial review of the M3 tolling scheme

An Taisce sought leave to challenge the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, under Section 18 of the Roads Act, a section which relates to procedural issues, public consultation and the formal adoption of a plan for road works.

An Taice HQ, at Tailors Hall, Dublin
An Taice HQ, at Tailors Hall, Dublin

An Taisce argued that the NRA did not follow correct procedures in formally adopting its road plan for the €900 million M3 project.

An Taisce had been aware of the issue for some time, but has so far refrained from becoming directly involved in legal challenges to road schemes.

The critical issue to the court today was that Ian Lumley had already raised the Section 18 objection at the An Bord Pleanala oral hearing in 2002. Therefore, it was much too late to seek review of the issue now. The review should have taken place within 3 months of the An Bord Pleanala approival in 2003. Costs were not awarded against An Taisce, because they had originally sought to have this hearing held ex parte, but Judge Peter Kelly insistedf last Friday the NRA and the Minister be given a chance to respond.

TaraWatch extends it sympathies to An Taisce, and continues its campaign to save Tara by making complaints to the EU, Coillte and other bodies. We are currently fundraising to have a professional archaeological report done, which will be central to these complaints.

Related Link: http://www.tarawatch.org
author by Fridayspublication date Tue Apr 17, 2007 20:27author address author phone Report this post to the editors

While I am not totaly in favour with the new M3 motorway (I think the rail line to Navan should have been the priority), hasn't every attempt to stop motorway construction benifited only building contractors and the legal profesion? Every protested road has been built to as planned (years behind schedule) and the 100's of millions of euros (tax payers money) spent has not been worth any where close to any benifits gained.

I do not want my tax money wasted again.

author by anonanonpublication date Fri Apr 06, 2007 23:58author address author phone Report this post to the editors

and threw most of them out and they didn't agree with Vincent Salafia anyway. Hard to say who was wrong, the experts or Salafia, the report doesn't say enough. See here:
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/81823&comment_limit=0&c...89307

author by anonpublication date Thu Apr 05, 2007 22:23author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Emails were sent to all on the list in the last couple of months, asking for help with this matter. It is quite understandable that those abroad would have dissiculty, and others may have prior commitments, or feel unqualified. But that does not explain it all away. There are probably many reasonable explanations, for many people. The real point is that all efforts on the part of certain campaigners seem to have ended, in terms of finding the appropriate experts, and all faith is to be put into the political arena, which in reality holds little hope, with either a Fine Gael or Fine Fail led Government on the cards. It is not too late for a court case, for the EU, or for public opinion to be more loudly expressed. All avenues have not been exhausted, as is claimed, by any stretch of the imagination. The campaign is being steered down what appears to many to be a dead end, and it is imperative that all avenues are indeed pursued, while there is still time.

author by excatlypublication date Thu Apr 05, 2007 19:31author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I dont know if the last poster meant his post in this way, but he is totally correct, "All facts are true".
Even if you got someone (an expert) to support an urgument, dosent mean it is true!.
for something to be a proven fact, it has to be "proven" to be true.
Maybe this is why no expert would try to claim/prove something for this campaign they know to be un-provable!

author by Northern Lightpublication date Thu Apr 05, 2007 19:03author address author phone Report this post to the editors

... that everyone on that list said no to attending court to give evidence so there is something not quite clear for me about the campaigns approach. Secondly each and everyone of the people resident and working in Ireland named on that list would be earning in excess of €50,000 per year so they would not be out of pocket by attending court. The rest of the people on the list are probably earning even more money so I have no doubt that some of them would be amenable to a few days R&R in Ireland. The money is hardly for barristers fees either. Surely An Taisce and the campaign can find pro bono services? The long and short of this post is - go and ask some of those named academics to go to court. Surely one lying chief state archaeologist can be disproved by 300 "world renowned" academics?

author by W. Finnerty.publication date Thu Apr 05, 2007 14:59author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Copied from above:

"We ask the Government to pose the question: is it an enlightened decision to knowingly take this landscape - the premier landscape within Ireland since the Neolithic period - and cut a motorway through it?"

Well of course it is an "enlightened decision" when the PPP (public-private partnership) SWINDLERS have got their hooks in the Government, and the Government (and the judiciary as well very likely) now have to do what they are told - or else!!

"We'll make you an offer you can't refuse."

See http://www.google.com/search?q=PPP,+swindles,+corruptio...earch for more on "How it works".

Maybe the voters can unhook them in a few months time?

Related Link: http://www.europeancourtofhumanrightswilliamfinnerty.com
author by Muireann Ni Bhrolchain - Campaign to Save Tarapublication date Thu Apr 05, 2007 14:53author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Site at Lismullin excavated with indecent haste

The Campaign to Save Tara wishes to commiserate with An Taisce after the High Court refused its case on the M3. As this case unfolded, the Campaign has received reports coming in about the archaeological site at Lismullin on the proposed route of the M3. There is grave concern that it is being excavated with indecent haste. The report of the NRA originally described this site as “eleven pit features and linear features”, now it is a huge site that is expanding daily, stretching as it does from the Rath Lugh complex to the bridge over the legendary Gabhra river at the back of Lismullin House.

The Campaign has heard that the number of archaeologists will soon reach 100 and that the time limit for excavation is one month. It is not possible to complete serious archaeological work on such a massive area with complicated features in that space of time. The work methods include mechanical diggers taking feet of topsoil and depositing this in spoil heaps that contain archaeology (pottery for example). These heaps are not examined, they are traversed by these huge machines that crush any possible deposits.

The NRA has constantly down-graded the sites on the chosen route. This was of such concern to the Director of the National Museum that he said the NRA’s description of Roestown: “amounts to the re-definition of a monument type in non-monument terms” (16 March 2005). Roestown was shown to contain spectacular souterrains and a high-class habitation site with rich finds.

Even a casual observer of the digs on the route will now see that they can be described as a mosaic of sites radiating from Tara, a complex of contiguous areas, some only 100 yards apart. This bears out what C. Newman, J. Fenwick and E. Bhreathnach said in a statement (March 2004): “the central ceremonial complex on the hill was surrounded by settlements, religious monuments, ceremonial entrances and route-ways and strategically-placed fortifications”. The Director of the National Museum stated: “Taken together, this group of monuments constitute an archaeological and cultural landscape”

But Brian Duffy, Chief State Archaeologist, denies the existence of a landscape: “These monuments cannot be considered to be part of some greater Tara monument”. However, this is the same person who stated in the same document: “It could be argued that the M3 will be a monument of major significance in the future…” (December 2004).

The Campaign to Save Tara maintains that these sites are all part of the Tara landscape and that the entire Gabhra Valley is a National Monument. These sites should not be considered individually but as one continuous complex.

M. Ní Bhrolcháin said on behalf of the Campaign: “This is salvage archaeology. Why does Lismullin have to be excavated in a month? The road will take years to build. The methods used as akin to “smash and grab” and sites such as this will be seriously compromised by this type of open cast archaeology”.

Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin
Campaign to Save Tara

author by anonpublication date Thu Apr 05, 2007 14:03author address author phone Report this post to the editors


A Statement addressed to the Irish Government signed by over 300 scholars worldwide who are concerned about the proposed construction of the M3 Motorway through the Tara/Skryne Valley.

"Over the past number of years the debate regarding the routing of part of the M3 motorway through the Tara/Skryne Valley has concentrated on archaeological, economic and traffic considerations. As teachers and researchers of various disciplines including Celtic Studies, Irish History, Irish Literature, Historical Geography, Theology, Linguistics, Archaeology and Anthropology we feel compelled at this stage to widen the discussion beyond archaeological considerations. The weight of anthropological, archaeological, historical and literary evidence proves that Tara is a site of special significance and of international importance from early history to the present. Indeed this was acknowledged by two Taoisigh, Eamon De Valera who visited the Hill of Tara when excavations were undertaken there in the 1950s and Charles Haughey when he initiated the Discovery Programme in the early 1990s. The flagship project of the state-funded Discovery Programme since then has been the Tara Project undertaken by scholars such as Edel Bhreathnach and Conor Newman. The existence of a wider landscape beyond the Hill of Tara can be clearly deduced from Ireland's extensive medieval historical and literary sources. To deny this wider definition of Tara amounts either to ignorance or willful misinformation.

We ask the Government to pose the question: is it an enlightened decision to knowingly take this landscape - the premier landscape within Ireland since the Neolithic period - and cut a motorway through it? How can it be justified in what is now one of the richest countries in Europe that such a sensitive landscape is destroyed rather than subjected to proper landscape management that would change it into an economic asset - as has been done with the comparable landscape of the Boyne Valley? If the motorway is constructed as currently planned, what does that say to the world about the cultural sensitivity of the Government?

We appeal to the Government to take an enlightened step and reverse the decision to route the M3 through the Tara/Skryne Valley. In a cultural context, such a move would demonstrate to the world Ireland's mature approach towards balancing necessary infrastructural development with the preservation of its valuable heritage."

Signed:

Dr. Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin, Celtic Studies, NUIM.

Zoltan Abadi-Nagy, Institute of English and American Studies, University of Debrecen.

Lindsay Allason-Jones, Director of Archaeological Museums and Reader in Roman Material Culture at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Dr. Rhian Andrews, Dept.of Irish & Celtic Studies, Queen's University Belfast.

Dr. Barbara Regine Armbruster, CNRS, Université de Toulouse le Mirail, France.

Associate Prof. Bettina Arnold, Dept.of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA.

Dr. Lise Bakke Brondho, Administrative Head of Studies at the Dept.of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies, University of Oslo, Norway.

Fionna Barber, School of Art and Design History, Manchester Metropolitan University.

Prof. Giuliana Bendelli, Faculty of Science, Pavia University, Italy.

Isabel Bennett MA, Gleann Fán, Ceann Trá, Trá Lí, Co. Chiarraí.

Prof. Paula Berggren, Dept.of English, Baruch College, Columbia University, New York.

Associate Prof. Csilla Bertha, Institute of English and American Studies, Debrecen University.

Dr. Gareth A Bevan, Editor University of Wales Dictionary, National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Dr. Guy Beiner, Dept.of History, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.

Gunilla Bexar, researcher, Dept.of English, Abo Akademi University, Finland.

Prof. Martin Biddle F.B.A., Medieval Archaeology, Hertford College, Oxford, England.

Dr. Andy Bielenberg, Dept.of History, UCC.

Bonnie Bissonette, Director, International Education, Northcentral Technical College, Wausau, USA.

Prof. Richard Bizot, Prof. of English, Coordinator of Irish Studies, University of North Florida, Jacksonville.

Dr. Ian Blake, M.A., D.Phil., Archaeological Correspondent The Irish Times 1967-1974, Wester Ross, Scotland.

Dr. Grigory Bondarenko, Institute of World History, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.

Catherine Boone, Administrator, Institute of Irish Studies, Queen's University Belfast.

Dr. Jacqueline Borsje, Celtic Studies Research Institute for History and Culture, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Dr. Angela Bourke, Roinn na Nua-Ghaeilge, University College Dublin (UCD).

Mr. Cormac Bourke, Curator of Medieval Antiquities, Dept.of Archaeology & Ethnography, Ulster Museum.

Dr. Robert Boyce, Dept.of International History, London School of Economics, England.

Dr. Damian Bracken, Dept.of Early Irish History, University College Cork (UCC).

John Bradley, Dept.of Modern History, National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM).

Prof. Dorothy Ann Bray, Dept.of English, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

Dr. Edel Bhreathnach, Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Institute, UCD.

Prof. Richard Bradley, FBA, Dept.of Archaeology, University of Reading, England.

Dr. Caoimhín Breatnach, Dept.of Modern Irish, UCD.

Prof. Pádraig A. Breatnach, Prof. of Classical Irish, Dept.of Modern Irish, UCD.

Prof. Finbarr Bradley, Dept.of Economics, NUIM.

Dr. Aidan Breen, Research Fellow, Monasticon Hibernicum Project, NUIM.

Prof. Mairéad Browne, Emeritus Prof., University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.

Dr. M. Paul Bryant-Quinn, Research Fellow, Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, Aberystwyth.

Lauri Burke, PhD student, Dept.of Geophysics, Colerado, USA.

Abigail Burnyeat, Celtic and Scottish Studies, University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Dr. Gera Burton, Associate Director, CDIS, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia.

Dr.Trilby Busch, Dept.of English, Normandale College.

Dr. Cornelius Buttimer, Irish Dept, UCC.

Dr. Cyril J. Byrne, C.M., Co-ordinator of Irish Studies, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Marian Campbell, Dept.of Metalwork, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, England.

Prof. Nicholas Canny, Academic Director, Centre for the Study of Human Settlement & Historic Change, National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG).

Dr. Ewan Campbell, Senior Lecturer, Dept.of Archaeology, University of Glasgow, Scotland.

Bridget Carey, Western Illinois University, Macomb, USA.

Prof. Robin Chapman Stacey, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.

Prof. Thomas Charles-Edwards, Jesus Prof. of Celtic Language and Literature, University of Oxford, England.

Dr. Nina Chehonadskaya, Moscow State University, Faculty of History, Dept of Ancient Languages, Russia.

Prof. Jacques Chuto, Emeritus Prof. of English Literature, University of Paris XII, France.

Prof. Howard Clarke, School of History, UCD.

Dr. Michael Clarke, Dept.of Classics, NUIM.

Dr. Ann Coakley, Dept.of Sociology, NUIM.

Dr. Elizabeth Coatsworth, Manchester Institute for Research and Innovation in Art and Design, Manchester Metropolitan University, England.

Dr. Mary Condren, Centre for Gender and Women's Studies, Trinity College Dublin (TCD).

Prof. Carolyn A. Conley, University of Alabama, Birmingham.

Prof. Kathryn Conrad, Associate Prof. of English, University of Kansas, USA.

Dr. Mary Corcoran, Dept.of Sociology, NUIM.

Dr. Laurence Cox, Dept.of Sociology, NUIM.

Prof. Raymond Cormier, Visiting Prof. of French, Longwood University, USA.

Prof. Pam Crabtree, Dept.of Anthropology, New York University, USA.

Prof. Natalie Crohn Schmitt, Prof. of Theatre, Emerita, Prof. of English, Emerita, University of Illinois, Chicago, U.S.A.

Prof. Michael Cronin, Director, Centre for Translation and Textual Studies, DCU.

Prof. Barry Cunliffe, Prof. of European Archaeology, University of Oxford, Institute of Archaeology, England.

Bernadette Cunningham, Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Institute, UCD.

Prof. Fumiko Daido, Dept.of General Education, Tama University of Fine Arts, Tokyo, Japan.

Prof. Ceri Davies, Dept.of Classics, Ancient History and Egyptology, University of Wales, Swansea, Wales.

Prof. Wendy Davies, FBA, University College London.

Prof Seamus Deane, Keough Chair of Irish Studies, University of Notre-Dame, USA.

Dr. Judith Devlin, School of History, UCD.

Dr. David Denby, Applied Language and Intercultural Studies, DCU.

Dr. Gwendal Denis, Head of Dept.of Breton, University of Rennes, France.

Dr. Peter Denman, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, NUIM.

Dr. Ranke de Vries, Dept.of Celtic Studies, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Dr. Charlie Dillon, Dept.of Irish & Celtic Studies, Queen's University Belfast

Dr. Hazel Dodge FSA, Louis Claude Purser Senior Lecturer in Classical Archaeology, School of Classics, TCD.

Dr. Charles Doherty, School of History, UCD.

Prof. Terry Dolan, Dept.of English, UCD.

Prof. Ann Dooley, University of Toronto, Canada.

Dr. Linda Doran, Member, Group for the Study of Irish Historical Settlement.

Mr. Bill Doran, Member, Group for the Study of Irish Historical Settlement.

Prof. Susan Downey, Prof. of Art History, Member, Archaeology Program, UCLA, USA.

Dr. Adam Drazin, IRCHSS Research Fellow, Dept. of Sociology, Trinity College Dublin.

Dr. Stephen T. Driscoll, Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Archaeology, Glasgow University, Scotland.

Ciarán Dunbar, Dept.of Irish & Celtic Studies, Queen's University Belfast.

Dr. Dawn Duncan, Associate Prof. of English, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, USA.

Prof. Dennis Dworkin, Ass Prof, Dept.of History, University of Nevada, Reno.

Associate Prof. John C. Eby, History Program, Loras College, Dubuque.

Prof. Doris Edel, Prof. Emeritus, Celtic Language and Civilisation, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Dr. Nancy Edwards, Dept.of History and Welsh, University of Wales, Bangor, Wales.

Dr. David Edwards, Dept.of History, UCC.

Dr. Huw M Edwards, Adran y Gymraeg / Dept.of Welsh, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales.

Prof. Ericka Engelstad, Department of Archaeology, University of Tromsø, Norway.

Prof. George Eogan, PhD, D.Litt, Dublin.

Dr. Colmán Etchingham, Dept of History, NUIM.

Dr. Nicholas Evans, School of Celtic Studies, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.

Dr. Alexander Falileyev, The Ancient Celtic Place-Names of Europe and Asia Minor Project, Dept.of Welsh, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales.

Dr. Carol Farr, FSA, London.

Prof. Anna Fattori, Dept. Studi Filologici, Linguistici e Letterari, Università di Roma 'Tor Vergata'.

Dr. Mark Fenemore, Dept.of History & Economic History, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester.

Joe Fenwick, Dept. of Archaeology, NUIG.

Prof. Eric Fernie, President, Society of Antiquaries of London, England.

Dr. Thomas Finan, Director of The Center for International Education, Webster University, St Louis, Missouri, USA.

Dr. Joanne Findon, Dept.of English Literature, Trent University, Canada.

Dr. Ian Fisher, Dept. of Celtic, University of Glasgow, Scotland.

Dr. David Fitzpatrick, The Higher Education Academy, Subject Centre for History, Classics and Archaeology, England.

Dr. Elizabeth FitzPatrick, Dept.of Archaeology, NUIG.

Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick, Dept. of Applied Arts, School of Humanities, Waterford Institute of Technology.

Dr. Marie-Therese Flanagan, School of History, Queen's University, Belfast (QUB).

Prof. Deborah Fleming, Dept.of English, Ashland, University, Ashland, Ohio.

Geraldine Fogarty, University of Toronto, Canada.

Prof. Tadhg Foley, Dept. of English, NUIG.

Dr. Katherine Forsyth, Dept. of Celtic, University of Glasgow, Scotland.

Prof. Roy Foster, Carroll Prof. of Irish History, Hartford College, University of Oxford.

Dr. James E. Fraser, Lecturer in Early Scottish History and Culture, University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Dr. Oona Frawley, Institute of Irish Studies, QUB.

Dr. Barbara Freitag, School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies, Dublin City University (DCU).

Associate Prof. Helen Fulton, Dept. of English, Pro-Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

Dr. Anna Gannon, University of Cambridge, England.

Pauline Garvey, Dept.of Anthropology, NUIM.

Dr. Inge Genee, Celtic Studies, Dept.of Modern Languages, University of Lethbridge, Canada.

Dr. Raymond Gillespie, Dept.of History, NUIM.

Dr. Angie Gleason, Celtic Studies/Medieval History, TCD.

Prof. Barbara Gluck, Dept. of English, Baruch College, New York.

Prof. James Graham-Campbell, FBA, Institute of Archaeology, University College London.

Dr. Brian Griffin, Irish Studies Centre co-ordinator, Bath Spa University College.

Dr. Sally Griffin, Bath Spa University College, Bath.

Nick Griffiths, FSA, Wilton, England.

Steve Griffith, Chair Dept. of Theatre and Dance, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minnesota.

Giselle Gos, University of Toronto, Canada.

Prof. Jean-Paul Guillaumet, Directeur de Recherche, CNRS, Dijon, France.

Dr. Marianna Gula, Institute of English and American Studies, University of Debrecen.

Dr. Anne Haour, British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow, Tutor for Archaeology & Anthropology, Hertford College, Oxford, England.

Dr. Niamh Hardiman. IRCHSS Government of Ireland Senior Fellow, Governance Research Programme, Institute for the Study of Social Change (ISSC), Politics Dept., UCD.

Prof. D. W. Harding, MA, DPhil, FRSE, Abercromby Prof. of Archaeology, University of Edinburgh.

Dr. Anthony Harvey, Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.

Mr. Andrew Hawke, University of Wales Dictionary of the Welsh Language, Aberystwyth, Wales.

Dr. Jane Hawkes, Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York, England.

Dr. Marged Haycock, Reader, Dept.Welsh, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales.

Dr. Deana Heath, Dept. of Modern History, TCD.

Prof. Máire Herbert, Roinn na Sean agus na Meán-Ghaeilge, UCC.

Prof. Michael Herren, Celtic Studies/Centre for Medieval Studies, University of Toronto, Canada.

Dr. Thomas Herron, Dept. of English, Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney.

Dr. Roisín Higgins, Humanities Institute of Ireland, Belfield, UCD.

Dr. Jacqueline Hill, Dept.of History, NUIM.

Dr. Richard Hobbs, Curator of Romano-British Collections, The British Museum, London, England.

Dr. Rijcklof Hofman, Project Moderne Devotie, Tutus Brandsma Instituut, The Netherlands.

Dr. Martin Holland, Dublin.

John Hood, Harrow College, UK.

Prof. Werner Huber, Dept of English, Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany.

Dr. Hugh Haughton, Dept.of English and Related Literature, University of York, UK.

Dr. Alison Harvey, Dept.of English, UCLA.

Prof. Jacqueline Hurtley, University of Barcelona, Spain.

R.E. Hutton, Historical Studies, Bristol University, England.

Dr. Kicki Ingridsdotter, Celtic Section, Uppsala University, Sweden.

Aideen Ireland FRSAI, FSA, President, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland.

Dr. Colin A Ireland, Resident Director, Arcadia University Center for Education Abroad, 6 Clare Street, Dublin 2.

Prof. Edward F. James, Prof. of Medieval History, UCD.

Dr. Bart Jaski, Celtic Studies, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Dr. Máire Johnson, University of Toronto, Canada.

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Dr. Susan A. Johnston, Dept of Anthropology, George Washington University, Washington D.C., USA.

Dr. Carleton Jones, Dept.of Archaeology, NUIG.

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Prof. Catherine Karkov, Dept.of Art, Miami University, Ohio, USA.

Prof. Colbert Kearney, Modern English, UCC.

Prof. Kosuge Keishin, Law Dept, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan.

Dr. Margaret Kelleher, Dept.of English, NUIM.

Prof. Fergus Kelly, School of Celtic Studies, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.

Dr. James J. Kennelly, Associate Prof. and Chair, Department of Management and Business, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York.

Aeveen Kerrisk, Academic Director, Conflict Studies, School for International Training, (Vermont, USA) Dublin.

Prof. S. D. Keynes, Dept.of Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic, Faculty of English, Trinity College, Cambridge, England.

Birthe Kjolbye-Biddle, Winchester Research Unit, Oxford, England.

Dr. Magorzata Krasnodêbska-D'Aughton, Míchéal Ó Cléirigh Institute, UCD.

Dr. Brian Lacey, archaeologist, Dublin.

Nick Laird, lawyer, poet and novelist.

Prof. Pierre-Yves Lambert, Researcher in Celtic Studies (CNRS), Prof. of Celtic Philology (EPHE, Paris), Paris, France.

Simon Lambrecht, Roinn na Sean agus na Meán-Ghaeilge, UCC.

Ms. Riitta Latvio, Doctoral student / Researcher, Department of Comparative Religion, University of Helsinki.

Prof. J.J. Lee, Glucksman Ireland House, New York University, New York, USA.

Dr. Gary Lock, Institute of Archaeology, University of Oxford, England.

Prof. José Lanters, Dept of English, Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.

Dr. Angela Leahy, School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies, DCU.

Dr. Kevin Leahy, FSA, North Lincolnshire, England.

Dr. Heinz Lechleiter, School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies, DCU.

Dr. Brigitte Le Juez, Senior Lecturer in the School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies, DCU.

Dr. Marion Loeffler, Canolfan Uwchefrydiau Cymreig a Cheltaidd / Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales.

Irene Lucchitti, Graduate student, University of Wollongong, Australia.

Dr. Patricia A. Lynch, Dept.of Languages and Cultural Studies, University of Limerick.

Dr. Michael McAteer, Queen's University Belfast.

Dr. Patrick McKay, Dept.of Irish & Celtic Studies, Queen's University Belfast

An tOllamh Mícheál Mac Craith, Ollamh le Nua-Ghaeilge, Scoil na Gaeilge, NUIG.

Dr. Séamus Mac Gabhann, Dept of English, NUIM.

Dr. Arthur MacGregor, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, England.

Mr. David McGuinness, Dept.of Irish Archaeology, Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool.

Frank McGuinness, Dept.of English, UCD.

Prof. Séamus Mac Mathúna, University of Ulster, Coleraine.

Dr. Ailbhe Mac Samhráin, Research Fellow, Monasticon Hibernicum Project, NUIM.

Dr. Breandán Mac Suibhne, Dept.of History, University of Notre Dame.

Gerald Manning, Dept.of Early and Medieval Irish, UCD.

Alfred Markey, Dept.of Modern Languages, University of León, Spain.

Gilbert Markus, Dept.of Celtic, University of Glasgow, Scotland.

Dr. Sonja Marzinzik, Medieval & Renaissance Gallery Project, Victoria & Albert Museum, England.

Francanko Matasovic, Dept.of Linguistics, University of Zagreb, Croatia.

Anna Matheson, University of Toronto.

Dr. Chandana Mathur, Dept.of Anthropology, NUIM.

Prof. Ken'ichi Matsumura, Faculty of Commerce, Chuo University, Tokyo.

Dr. Carmel McCaffrey, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Dr. John McCafferty, Director, Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Institute, Arts Faculty, UCD.

Dr. Brendan McConvery C.Ss.R., Dean of the Faculty of Theology, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth.

Dr. Finbar McCormick, School of Archaeology and Palaeoecology, QUB.

Lucy McDiarmid, Cullman Center for Scholars & Writers, New York Public Library.

Dr. Aine McGillicuddy, School of Applied Language & Intercultural Studies, DCU.

Prof. Catherine McKenna, Coordinator, Medieval Studies Certificate Program, Graduate Center, The City University of New York.

Assistant Prof. Martin McKinsey, Dept.of English, Hamilton Smith Hall, University of New Hampshire, Durham.

Prof. Neil McLeod, Murdoch University, Australia.

Roisin McLaughlin, School of Celtic Studies, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.

Prof. Robert Emmet Meagher, Prof. of Humanities, Hampshire College, Amherst, Massachusetts.

Dr. Bernard Meehan, Trinity College Library, TCD.

Prof. Daniel Melia, Celtic Studies, University of California, Berkeley, USA.

Dr. Tatyana Mikhailova, Faculty of Philology, Dept.of Germanic and Celtic Philology, Moscow State University, Russia.

Prof. Brent Miles, University of Toronto, Canada.

Dr. Petri Mirala, British and Irish Studies, University of Helsinki.

Dr. Angus Mitchell, Dept.of Global Studies, St Lawrence University, New York.

Prof. Ikuko Mizunoe, Faculty of International Studies, Kyoritsu Women's University, Tokyo.

Dr. Kevin Molloy, Stout Research Centre, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand.

Michael Monk, Dept.of Archaeology, UCC.

Prof. Emeritus Donald E. Morse, Oakland University, MI, USA - Prof. and Doctor Honoris Causa, Debrecen University.

Connell Monette, University of Toronto, Canada.

Dr. Kay Muhr, Dept.of Irish & Celtic Studies, Queen's University Belfast

Prof. Paul Muldoon, Howard G.B. Clark '21 Prof. in Humanities, Princeton University, USA.

Dr. Verena Murphy, National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology (NICB), DCU.

Dr. Richard Murphy, Dept.of English, Irish Studies Program, Boston College.

Prof. Ciaran Murray, Dept.of English, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan.

Dr. Kevin Murray, Roinn na Sean-Ghaeilge, UCC.

Prof. Joseph F. Nagy, Dept.of English, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.

Robin Netherton, Editor, Medieval Clothing & Textiles, USA.

Prof. Carol Neuman de Vegvar FSA, Ohio Wesleyan University, USA.

Dr. Máire Ní Annracháin, Roinn na Nua-Ghaeilge, NUIM.

An t-Ollamh Próinséas Ní Chatháin, Ollamh Emeritus, Roinn na Sean-Ghaeilge, UCD.

Dr. Máire Ni Chíosáin, Dept.of Linguistics, UCD.

Dr. Máirín Nic Eoin, Roinn na Gaeilge, Coláiste PháDr.aig, Dr.oim Conrach.

Prof. Máirín Nic Dhiarmada, University of Toronto, Canada.

Dr. Aisling Ní Dhonnchadha, Roinn na Nua-Ghaeilge, NUIM.

Prof. Máirín Ní Dhonnchadha, Dept.of Old and Middle Irish, NUIG.

Dr. Jenifer Ní Ghradaigh, School of Celtic Studies, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.

Dr. Máire Ní Mhaonaigh, Dept Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic, University of Cambridge, England.

Dr. Máire Ní Neachtain, Roinn na Gaeilge, Coláiste Mhuire gan Smál, Ollscoil Luimnigh..

Dr. Clíona Ní Ríordáin, Institut du monde anglophone, Université Paris III Sorbonne-Nouvelle, Paris .

Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin, Singer.

Dr. Meidhbhín Ní Úrdail, Dept.of Modern Irish, UCD.

Conor Newman, Dept.of Archaeology, NUIG.

Dr. Donncha Ó hAodha, Roinn na Sean agus na Meán-Ghaeilge, NUIG.

Dr. Feargal Ó Béarra, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUIG.

Prof. Dónall P. Ó Baoill, Dept.of Irish & Celtic Studies, Queen's University Belfast

Prof. Breandán Ó Buachalla, Prof. of Irish Language and Literature, Keough Institute for Irish Studies, University of Notre Dame, USA.

Dr. Elizabeth O'Brien, Dublin.

Dr. Kate O'Brien-Hamoush, School of Dance, University of Oklahoma, USA.

Dr. Maeve O'Brien, Dept.of Classics, NUIM.

Dr. William O'Brien, Dept.of Archaeology, NUIG.

Dr. Emmett O'Byrne, Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Institute, UCD.

Prof. Tomás Ó Cathasaigh, Henry L. Shattuck Prof. of Irish Studies, Harvard University, USA.

Prof. Eamonn Ó Carragáin MRIA, Dept.of English, UCC.

Dr. Tomás Ó Carragáin, Dept.of Archaeology, UCC.

Eamon Ó Ciardha, University of Ulster.

An tOllamh Séamus Ó Cinnéide, Centre for Applied Social Studies, NUIM.

Dr. Breandán Ó Cíobháin, An Foras Duibhneach, Ceann Trá, Co. Chiarraí.

Dr. Eamon Ó Cíosáin, Dept.of French, NUIM.

Dr. Colmán Ó Clabaigh OSB, Míchéal Ó Cléirigh Institute, UCD & Glenstal Abbey, Limerick.

Tom O'Connor, Dept.of Physics, NUIG.

Dr. Kieran O'Conor, Dept.of Archaeology, NUIG.

Dr. Eithne O'Connell, SALIS, DCU.

Prof. Donncha Ó Corráin, Dept.of Early Irish History, UCC.

Prof. Dáibhí Ó Cróinín, Dept.of Early Irish History, NUIG.

Dr. Conchobhar Ó Crualaoich, Bráinse na Logainmneacha.

Dr. Brian Ó Curnáin, Scoil an Léinn Cheiltigh, Institiúid Ard-Léinn Bhaile Átha Cliath.

Dr. Pól Ó Dochartaigh, Roinn na Gearmáinise, Ollscoil Uladh, Cúil Rathain, Doire.

Brian O'Donovan, Eneclann Ltd/ Archive CD Books Ireland.

Dr. Gréagóir Ó Dúill, Dept of Irish & Celtic Studies, Queen's University Belfast

Dr. Tadhg Ó Dúshláine, Roinn na Nua Ghaeilge, NUIM.

Dr. Míchéal Ó Flaithearta, Celtic Section, Dept.of English, Uppsala University, Sweden.

Marianna O'Gallagher, C.M., C.Q., President, Irish Heritage Quebec, History and genealogy society.

Michael O'Hanrahan, President, Group for the Study of Irish Historical Settlement.

Dr. Mícheál Ó Mainnín, Dept of Irish & Celtic Studies, Queen's University Belfast

Dr. Uaininn O'Meadhra, Swedish Church Graffitti Project, Stockholm.

Monsg. Dr. Réamonn Ó Muirí, Armagh, (Editor Seanchas Ard Mhacha).

Prof. Patrick O'Neill, Dept.of German, Queen's University at Kingston, Canada.

Prof. Dáithí Ó hÓgáin, Ass. Prof, Dept.of Irish Folklore, UCD.

Prof. Emeritus PáDr.aig Ó Riain, Dept.of Early and Middle Irish, UCC.

Dr. Dagmar Ó Riain-Raedel, Dept.of History, UCC.

Dr. Catherine O'Riordan, Dept.of German, School of Applied Languages and Intercultural Studies, DCU.

Associate Prof. Hugh Ormsby-Lennon, Anglo-Irish Studies, Dept.of English.Villanova University, Villanova, PA.

Prof. Charles E. Orser Jr., Distinguished Prof. of Anthropology, Illinois State University.

Dr. Des O'Rawe, School of Languages, Literatures and Arts, QUB.

Dr. Diarmuid Ó Sé, Dept.of Modern Irish, UCD.

Dr. Gale R. Owen-Crocker, School of Arts, Histories and Cultures, The University of Manchester, England.

Associate Prof. Ann Owens-Weekes, Dept.of English, University of Arizona.

Prof. Mike Parker Pearson, Dept.of Archaeology, University of Sheffield, England.

Dr. Colin Parmar, Dept.of Irish & Celtic Studies, Queen's University Belfast

Dr. Aileen Pearson-Evans, School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies, DCU.

Dr. Alicia Perea, Dpto de Prehistoria, I.H, CSIC, MaDr.id, Spain.

Dr. Valery V. Petroff, Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow.

Prof. J.M. Picard, Faculty of Arts, UCD.

Michael Pinder, School of Design, The Manchester Metropolitan University, England.

Erich Poppe, Celtic Studies, Philipps-Universitaet Marburg, Germany.

Dominic Powlesland, Director, The Landscape Research Centre, Yorkshire, England.

Dr. Simon Potter, Dept.of History, NUIG.

Prof Ines Praga, University of Burgos, Spain.

Prof. Huw Pryce, Dept.of History and Welsh History, University of Wales, Bangor, Wales.

Prof. Mark Quigley, Dept.of English, University of Nevada.

Associate Prof. Istvan Racz, Institute of English and American Studies, Debrecen University, Hungary.

Prof. Klavs Randsborg, Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Prof. Thomas Dillon Redshaw, Dept.of English, Director, Center for Irish Studies (Editor, New Hibernia Review), University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Ass. Prof. of Irish Jan Erik Rekdal, University of Oslo, Norway.

Jennifer Reid, University of Toronto, Canada.

Dr. Kay Retzlaff, Liberal Studies/English, University of Maine at Augusta/University College Bangor.

Prof. Julian D Richards, Co-Director, Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York, England.

Dr. PáDr.aigín Riggs, Nua-Ghaeilge, Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh.

Prof. Jane Roberts, Prof. Emeritus, Institute of English Studies, University of London, England.

Dr. Simon Rodway, Dept.of Welsh and Celtic Studies, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales.

Dr. Jenny Rowland, Faculty of Celtic Studies, UCD.

Dr. Paul Russell, Dept.of Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic, University of Cambridge.

Dr. Kathleen Ryan, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia.

Dr. Colin Rynne, Dept.of Archaeology, UCC.

Prof. Etienne Rynne, MRIA, FSA, Galway.

Csaba Sághi, MPhil, Dept.of Philosophy and Cultural Anthropology, Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary.

Dr. Diarmuid Scully, Dept.of History, UCC.

Dr. Patrick Sims-Williams, Dept.of Welsh, Aberystwyth, Wales.

Dr. Gerry Smyth, Reader in Cultural History, School of Media, Critical and Creative Arts John Moore's University, Liverpool.

Prof. Roger Stalley, Dept.of Art History, TCD.

Prof. Nancy Stenson, Dept.of Linguistics, University of Minnesota, USA.

Prof. R D Stevick, Prof. Emeritus, University of Washington, USA.

Dr. Domhnall Uilleam Stiubhart, Celtic and Scottish Studies, University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Dr. Gudrun Sveinbjarnardottir, Project Manager, Reykholt Excavations, National Museum of Iceland, Iceland.

Dr. John Sheehan, Senior Lecturer, Archaeology Dept, UCC.

Prof. Ruth Sherry, Prof. of English Literature, Dept.of Modern Languages, Section for English, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

Dr. Alfred Siewers, English Faculty, Bucknell University, USA.

Dr. Mark Stansbury, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Foundations of Irish Culture Project, Centre for the Study of Human Settlement and Historical Change, NUIB.

Lois Staas, Correspondent/Journalist for the Gloucester City News, New Jersey, USA.

Dr. Steffen Stummann Hansen, Curator, National Museum of the Faroe Islands.

Dr. Cathy Swift, NUIG.

Jean Talman, University of Toronto, Canada.

Dr. Simon Taylor, Honorary Research Fellow, Department of Medieval History, University of St AnDr.ews, Scotland.

Paul Tempan, Dept.of Irish & Celtic Studies, Queen's University Belfast

Prof. Alan Titley, Coláiste, PháDr.aig, Dr.oim Conrach, Baile Átha Cliath.

Dr. Lauran Toorians, Celtic Studies/Publicist, Loon op Zand, The Neatherlands.

Prof. Robert Tracy, Prof. of English & of Celtic Studies, University of California, Berkeley.

Dr. Jürgen Uhlich, School of Irish, TCD.

Maire Uí Bhaoill, Dept.of Irish & Celtic Studies, Queen's University Belfast

Dr. Una Uí Bheirn, Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.

Dr. Aimeric Vacher, International School of Geneva.

Dr. Mary Valente, Appalachian State University, USA & Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.

Prof. John Waddell, Dept.of Archaeology, NUIG.

Prof. Emeritus Bernard Wailes, Dept.of Anthropology, University Museum, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Prof. Geoffrey Wainwright MBE FSA, Chairman Wessex Archaeology.

Dr. Jane C. Waldbaum, President, Archaeological Institute of America, Dept.of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, USA.

Dr. Jennifer Walski, Maitre de conferences, Dépt des Langues Vivantes Pratiques, Université Victor Segalen/Bordeaux 2 .

Richard Warner MRIA, Head of History & Keeper of Archaeology & Ethnography, Ulster Museum, Belfast.

Dr. Martin Welch FSA, London, England.

Dr. Niamh Whitfield, FSA, London, England.

Dr. Stephen Wickler, Marinarkeolog Fagenhet for Arkeologi Tromsø Museum, Universitetsmuseet Universitetet i Tromsø, Norway.

Prof. Gruffydd Aled Williams, Dept.of Welsh and Celtic Studies, University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Sir David M Wilson, Honorary Member of the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.

Susan Youngs, School of Archaeology University of Oxford, England.

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"We intend to mount a political campaign for the upcoming General Election in Ireland that is due in May/June 2007. We consider this to be the final opportunity to Save Tara."

"This General Election is the last realistic opportunity for Tara. All other options have been exhausted. "
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/savetara/

Related Link: http://www.savetara.com/statements/academicstmt.html
author by W. Finnerty.publication date Thu Apr 05, 2007 13:21author address author phone Report this post to the editors

While I, like many others I suspect, deeply share An Taisce's wish (related in the Irish Times account above) that "this should not be done" save in accordance with the law, it seems the ONLY way forward now of doing that might be to follow the option, stated in court by Justice Brian McGovern I assume (?), that:

"If An Taisce wished to stop it and required a legal process to do so, they were absolutely entitled to apply for it."

If you can't get in the front door, try the back?

I realise that "An Taisce" might not wish to "apply" for the "legal process" referred to, but is there anything to prevent one or other of the M3 protest groups from doing so? Or some individual perhaps?

What does this "legal process" involve?

How much would it cost? Is legal aid a possibility?

If it's very costly, and legal aid is not available, is there any chance that two or more of the different protest groups might join forces?

Related Link: http://www.kingollamhfodhla.com
author by Northern Lightpublication date Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:46author address author phone Report this post to the editors


...that no Irish heritage expert would testify. What a shower of useless spineless "kept" academics. Can someone please do us all a favour and publish, on this site, on this thread, anonymously or not, the names of all of those who won't.

author by TaraWatchpublication date Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:03author email info at tarawatch dot orgauthor address author phone Report this post to the editors

An Taisce's legal challenge to M3 tolling fails

Irish Times
Thursday, April 5, 2007

A legal challenge by An Taisce, which, if successful, could have stopped the development of the M3 Clonee to Kells motorway as a tolled road, was mounted in the High Court yesterday.

Mr Justice Brian McGovern refused the national heritage group leave to bring a judicial review seeking a declaration that the National Roads Authority (NRA) cannot implement a tolling scheme or take any steps to implement one to facilitate a public-private partnership in the construction of the motorway.

An order was being sought quashing the tolling scheme approved by the NRA on March 13th last.

Mr Justice McGovern said an application to seek leave for a judicial review must be brought within three months after the grounds for the application arose.

John Rogers SC, counsel for An Taisce, when asked by Mr Justice McGovern if it was An Taisce's intention to stop the building of the motorway, said he was not going to answer any further question. It was An Taisce's intention to see that the motorway was developed in accordance with the law.

Mr Rogers said An Taisce's application related to a mandatory statutory requirement on the NRA under Section 18 of the Roads Act 1993 to prepare a National Roads Plan for the construction and maintenance of national roads.

The Act required the NRA to prepare a draft plan at least once every five years to be submitted to the Minister for Transport for his approval, along with information of all objections to the plan.

The Minister may approve the plan, approve it with modifications or refuse it. He said the Act set out procedures to be followed by the NRA involving publication of certain matters, including where a copy may be bought or inspected, and stating that objections may be made in writing to the authority. The Section 18 requirements had never been complied with in relation to this or any other road or motorway in the country. Mr Rogers said Meath County Council, in its draft development plan, saw fit to state that there should be a motorway but there was no question of it being a tolled motorway.

He said An Taisce had objected in correspondence with the Department of Transport to tolling of certain motorways but had not previously taken legal action to stop it. An Taisce had attended a tolling scheme inquiry relating to the M3 and had objected to it.

Mr Rogers said An Taisce was not seeking to stop the development of the M3 at the moment, but a point would come where, if the courts declared the NRA had acted beyond its powers, there would be "certain consequences" in relation to the construction of the motorway.

When he said An Taisce was simply seeking to have the law enforced, Mr Justice McGovern said one would have to be living on another planet not to know that controversy had existed over the construction of the M3.

The court wished to know if the purpose of An Taisce's application was in effect to stop the M3 proceeding. If An Taisce wished to stop it and required a legal process to do so, they were absolutely entitled to apply for it.

Mr Rogers said the content of the reliefs sought, where An Taisce was seeking an order prohibiting the taking of any steps to introduce a tolling scheme, were absolutely clear. It could be that people within An Taisce could have a variety of views, but they were absolutely united in saying "this should not be done" save in accordance with the law.

Brian Murray SC, for the NRA, said the An Taisce application for a legal challenge to the tolling scheme was being "used as a Trojan horse to attack the construction of the motorway".

Colm Ó hOisín SC, for the Minister of Transport, told the court that a Bill was being put through the Oireachtas repealing the Section 18 requirements, and had already been passed by the Seanad.

==

We need your help

An Taisce did not sue on heritage grounds because they couldn't find any experts to testify. So much for all the academic opposition. TaraWatch is faced with the same problem, so we are raising money to commission an expert report from a foreign archaeological consultancy company.

There are a number of ways you can help save Tara.

1. Sign the petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/hilltara/ - over 25,000 have
2. Donate to the Tara Archaeological Report Fund http://www.tarawatch.org - over 2,000 of 20,000 raised
3. Join the mailing list with approx 800 members: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hilloftara/
4. Attend meetings in Dublin every Monday 6.00 pm - contact info@tarawatch.org for details

From TaraWatch World Monuments Fund nomination to 100 Most Endangered Sites list - http://www.wmf.org
From TaraWatch World Monuments Fund nomination to 100 Most Endangered Sites list - http://www.wmf.org

Related Link: http://www.tarawatch.org
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