Rath Lugh Front Line Eviction

by AA Roadwatch Sun Mar 16, 2008 01:26

Hi thinkof thechildren,

Thanks for the link - very interesting. Here's just two quotes that amply make the case for motorway development:

From Page 8:
"On the National Road network, approximately 2 per cent of fatal collisions
occur on motorways, 7 per cent on at-grade dual carriageways and 91 per cent
on single carriageways."

Also from page 8
"The fatal collision rate of an average rural single carriageway national road is about
twice that of a dual carriageway road with at-grade junctions and about six times
that of a motorway."

As for the N3 being only low to medium risk, just Google "N3 fatal crash"
There is a pretty horrific catalog of accidents. A recent example is from the Meath Chronicle on 26/1/2008:
"The notorious N3 claimed another life at the weekend when a 19-year-old man from Castleknock in Dublin died outside Dunshaughlin in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Gardai are appealing for witnesses following the death of Mark Flood, Castleknock Park, Castleknock, at Powderlough, Dunshaughlin, in the incident on Sunday morning at 12.25am.
Mr Flood was a pedestrian on the road when he was struck by a vehicle. ......
It was the third fatality on Meath`s roads since the beginning of the year, following the deaths of a Latvian man at Kilmoon Cross, near Ashbourne, and Norbert Gibney near Oldcastle the previous week.
Mr Flood`s death also comes less than two months after three other fatalities on the N3 - at Kilmainham, Kells; Garlow Cross, Navan, and Dunboyne, since the beginning of December."

Grim stuff. Just think. If we had a proper motorway network in place, 5/6ths of those lives could have been saved. Puts mystical reverence for sacred sites in context.

by thinkofthechildren Fri Mar 14, 2008 19:25

For your information on dangerous roads and the N3 is NOT one of them.
Its medium to low risk.

http://www.aaireland.ie/download/EuroRAP%20Ireland%20re...t.pdf

by Cael Fri Mar 14, 2008 19:18

Lisa Feeney is an inspiration to all right thinking people all over the world. She is a true Irish patriot.

Beir Bua agus Beannacht ó chroí, a Lisa.

by friend of rath lugh - navan local Fri Mar 14, 2008 18:49

- REROUTE REROUTE REROUTE -

much love and respect to the warriors at the camp
my dear friends you do us all proud

stay safe squeak

le grá agus solas a chairde

mars x[+]x

by Cael Fri Mar 14, 2008 18:39

AA Roadwatch, if a sane and suitable route had been chosen for the M3 we wouldnt be having any of these problems. Lets move the motorway to a suitable location before any more damage is done and before any more of the people's money is wasted.

by IshtarCelt Fri Mar 14, 2008 18:11

To 'AA Roadwatch'

Do you have statistics to prove that the Gabhra velley section of the N3 is dangerous, that an accident (let alone many) have been caused by the fact that it is a single carraige road? Surely this is supposed to lead to increased traffic, gridlock, etc. not accidents. If accidents are caused because of the deteriorating condition of the N3, well this is not the fault of the protesters - It is Meath County Council who should be maintaining this and all the surrounding roads, REGARDLESS of whether the NRA are building a motorway. People have to drive somewhere while the M3 is being built.
Of course, it is possible that the N3 has been damaged by the passage of heavy machinery and increased construction traffic across it...is it not?

It's not just sections of the N3 that are in poor repair though - A lot of the surrounding roads and backroads (not built for traffic) are also in very poor repair, with not enough funding to repair them. These roads will see increased traffic in the future, if the M3 is not re-routed out of the Gabhra valley. Why? Toll avoiders of course - there are many people who won't want to or be able to pay the double toll. There will also be increased building, development and construction - more heavy machinery, on little roads never built for such traffic, which will be destroyed by it, as well as the fact that such traffic is more dangerous on these types of roads.

Another point is that, If, instead of this double-tolled motorway, the NRA had upgraded the existing N3 using the latest traffic managment solutions from Germany, Norway etc (switch lanes etc), then the N3 would already be upgraded, and Meath County Council would have money to repair all the other roads in the area, so you would now be driving safely not just on the main route, but also on the surrounding roads (a guarantee you don't have with the motorway!), without having to pay atoll. Also, deveopment would proceed at a more sedate and considered pace in teh region.

If the railway had been opened, you could be enjoying a relaxing scenic train journey through the area, (and maybe a short car drive from the park&ride facility) instead of worrying and sweating in traffic after a long day.

The motorway would have been built a lot quicker if the NRA had picked a different route - there wouldn't be protesters putting their lives on the line to get the message of the importance of preserving the Gabhra valley out to the world.

Have you not noticed that the only part of the road that contains protestors, the only section that is contentious, is the section through the Gabhra valley??? It doesn't take genius to notice this....Have you also not noticed that no-one protesting or objecting is asking for the M3 to be stopped, just for it to be re-routed out of the Gabhra Valley and away from the archeologically and culturally sensitive Tara landscape?

And also that some of the most vocal proponents of Re-Routing the road are highly educated, professional people, such as Muireann or Conor Newman? I myself have a MA in archeology.
We do know what we are talking about

by AA Roadwatch Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:55

......of being lost in road traffic accidents on the deadly dangerous single carriageway N3 while these opinionated, self-appointed guardians of our sacred(!) environmental heritage delay the provision of a safer motorway. Appeals to ancient gods, spirits, fairies, wicca(!) should be granted all the respect one might extend to the Scientological rantings of Tom Cruise, the hypocritical ravings of pederastical priests or the terrorist apologias of Mohammed's mullahs. None whatsoever.

by Ciaran Murphy - Singer Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:36

The people who held that spot are the salt of the earth, i am so proud of their efforts to retain some semblence of what is sacred in a society where only the economy is valued.
Declare war on the state.

by W. Finnerty. Fri Mar 14, 2008 09:46

Instead of continuing to tinker around with one or more of the symptoms of this HUGE heritage protection problem, should we not all be focussing now on the people who are primarily responsible for enabling and sustaining the destruction in the first place: by making every effort to lawfully "go for the jugular" as far as the particular individuals in question are concerned.

"Incidentally, I believe the way Mr Justice Thomas Smyth handled the EUROS 600,000 fee business in your case is one of the very best examples I can provide of outrageous corruption in the Republic of Ireland's judiciary. First he unexpectedly saddled you with a huge bill, and then he used the huge bill to get you to abandon your plan to take your very important and very necessary constitutional challenge to the Supreme Court, as would be normal in such cases."

The above excerpt formed part of the text of an e-mail sent earlier today to Chief Justice Murray (Republic of Ireland). The full text of the e-mail in question can be viewed at: http://www.humanrightsireland.com/ChiefJusticeMurray/14...l.htm

by Kathryn Price NicDhàna - paganachd.com Thu Mar 13, 2008 21:39

I am bereft than I cannot be there. We are praying for you, and spreading the word, and urging those who can to get there now.

Protection and strength to the Warriors of Rath Lugh, Ragh Lugh Abu!

by Siobhan - TaraWatch Thu Mar 13, 2008 20:40

I don't agree, but time will tell. If she was positive to an appeal then on what grounds did she reject the injunction in the first place?
Perhaps on the grounds that he get some PROPER legal advice. The facts under the Law are clear. If this motion was rejected it was because the proper advice was not given.
I have no doubt that Peader was great in court, but if his motion was groundless in the eyes of the Law then he had no hope of succeeding. The Law does not take emotion into account it works on hard facts. Justice La Voy has a record of being sympathetic to such causes, and is in my mind one of our finest judges. Unfortunately though she can only judge on facts brought before her.

by Reelplayer Thu Mar 13, 2008 20:15

It's getting very indymedia over on the RTÉ website

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0313/tara.html

scroll down to

-Click here to watch footage from today's protest

and you can watch 12 mins of unedited footage of today's events

by TaraTaraTara Thu Mar 13, 2008 19:58

Well actually you are wrong Siobhan. There is leave to appeal and the Judge was very encouraging in this respect. Peadar was AMAZING in Court today. This is not over yet so dont get down beat. Stay Positive!

by Siobhan - TaraWatch Thu Mar 13, 2008 19:03

It is very unfortunate that this injunction went before the Courts. It was obviously illconcieved in the first place. The facts were as such : the case should have been simple, the NRA seriously misjudged ( purposely I believe), the proximity of the road to the Esker.
An expert witness would have confirmed that the roadtake was less than 20 metres away instead of the LEGALLY required 100 metres away.
If I were Peader would be sickened by my Legal advisor's. Unfortunately now nobody can reapply for an injunction so Rath Lugh may now be lost along with the 42 other sites so far fallen prey to the Greedy self- servers.

by billy idle Thu Mar 13, 2008 18:28

Laffoy said there was no evidence that the site was being damaged. Increadible given the amount of photos suggesting strongly the contray. Seems like Gormleys order is not worth the paper its written on. Is the judge waiting for Rath Lugh to be totally destroyed befoe doing anything??. Too late then, which will of course suit the NRA in their ongoing destruction of the Gabra valley.

by maia Thu Mar 13, 2008 16:14

The government spend hundreds of thousands of euros shipping ministers around the globe for Paddy's Day and then at the same time destroy a heritage that is uniquely Irish. They cash in on their Irishness when it suits them as in when they travel around the globe, then at the same time they'll profit from destroying Ireland's unique heritage.

I am of firm belief that the route of the M3 will be changed, we're a rich nation, we can afford to re-route the M3, just like we can afford to send ministers on holidays that cost hundreds of thousands.

by Caroline Guerin - The Tara Foundation Thu Mar 13, 2008 15:50 caroline at tara-foundation dot org

A couple of reports have appeared at the Dept of the Environment website:

http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Heritage/National...ents/

The upshot is that the esker is unstable. It would be interesting to know who gave the order for diggers to "shore up the esker". This is an archaeological matter, the NRA has no business touching the esker.

by Claire Guerin - The Tara Foundation Thu Mar 13, 2008 15:21 claire at tara-foundation dot org

We rang earlier today, at about twelve, when no one at the Department would acknowledge or talk about was going on at Rath Lugh, except to ask where we had seen accounts of what was happening.
We rang again a few minutes ago and finally found someone who would talk about it. This is their story, to paraphrase:

The monument is on an esker. The work being done there is to support the esker in order to protect the monument so that the roadway doesn't damage the monument. The protesters don't understand this.

Some responses to this would be good, as this might be the line given to the media - if the media get so far as to ask about Rath Lugh, as most of them seem to be saying that the protest is about the M3 in general.

by democracy Thu Mar 13, 2008 14:57

RedC guarantee their return equivalent (+ or -3%) to a referendum return.
Some elected representatives think that once elected they can do as they please but it takes small groups and tribunals to try to maintain a balance.

by Muireann Ni Bhrolchain Thu Mar 13, 2008 14:55

Two more protesters arrested, dragged down the esker. A dump truck, a bulldozer in the area. Search and Rescue have arrived, - Civil Defence.
They need the garda ombudsman there -
They are hammering into the esker to erect the fence .......................

by Joe Soap Thu Mar 13, 2008 14:49

IF that statistic were true (I do not remember answering any survey), then surely there would be a 2/3 majority in the Dail supporting the protestors?????

by democracy Thu Mar 13, 2008 14:40

Democracy is a government of the people for the people by the people.
2 surveys by RedC research, 1 in 2005, 1 in January this year found that a vast MAJORITY of Irish Adults do not want this road through the Valley.
If you're calling for democracy Joe Soap, check your information before posting

by Real Ireland Thu Mar 13, 2008 14:34

Old , yes.
Dead, NO.
Don't think that a small group of people can't make a difference.
Indeed it's the only thing that can. (Margaret Mead)

For proof of this statement, read your history book.

by Saorchlann Thu Mar 13, 2008 14:23

The planning system has failed- objections were submitted but not heard- the nra announced the road- they didn't propose it. no other options were fully considered- the Rath Lugh Fian are doing what every true irishman should be doing right now.

join the protest

by DG - Real World Thu Mar 13, 2008 14:12

This is a disgrace, there’s lives being lost all over the country and where are the Gardai? ?? They are dealing with people who after being afforded the opportunity to submit their case to An Bord Pleanala years ago still cant accept the decision. Childish protests that every single person on this site knows WONT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. Stop wasting valuable public resourses on this old dead issue.

by Tara Support Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:40

The protestors are in lock-ons-suggest care with them as injury can be caused. the lack of health and safety
is caused by the stripping of all heritage protections by a corrupt government, whcih simply means that
no-one is protecting Tara except campaigners who have consistently highlighted both inadequate heritage
protection and corrupt practice at DOE (under Dick Roche)

If the girl in the tunnel is harmed by anyone- the issue will reach criminal proportion.

at the courts;- Ms Justice Laffoy will hear the injunction, the campaigners are up against a legal
team of four-five barristers all paid for by a state quango- they launched the eviction to ensure that the justice
wd have nothing left to deal with cos thats what corrupt money can do.

Thanks to campaigners for exhibiting integrity, courage and honesty, you are up against a machine
grounded in profit making and backed by the legislature.

all of us are hoping and supporting.

http://www.environ.ie

Gormley-fuck off with your corrupt partners in crime, what did your dept bury?

by RTE Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:27

M3 protestors trapped in tunnel
Thursday, 13 March 2008 11:57
A woman who is demonstrating against the M3 roadworks is trapped in a tunnel that protestors dug at Rath Lugh.

Supporters claim the woman is chained by the neck to a jack and any attempts to try and remove her will cause the tunnel to collapse.

At the scene fences have been erected to prevent any further incursion by the protestors.

AdvertisementAround 40 construction workers together with about ten gardaí remain at the scene .

Following negotiations between the protestors and the Fire Chief it has been agreed that no attempt will be made to try and remove the woman from the tunnel.

The tense stand off at the scene is continuing and is likely to do so for some hours.

A number of other protestors have chained themselves to overground obstacles at the scene.

Meanwhile, the group protesting against the construction of the M3 motorway has asked the High Court for an injunction to stop all work at the Rath Lugh area of the road.

Peadar O Ceallaigh told Ms Justice Mary Lafoy at the High Court that diggers were using the area as a short cut because they had not been able to get licences to drive over the roads.

He said the tunnel and the monument were in danger of collapse.

The case will be back before the court at 2pm.

by Jessica Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:26

Lives as well as our heritage are in SERIOUS danger.

Taken from another post:

Approx 80 personnel including several Gardai not displaying their numbers have descended on Rath Lugh.

There are 3 vehicles on the esker and a tractor half way up. This is seriously jeopardising the life of the girl pictured above who is locked into the tunnel by the neck. The Gardai are aware of this and are paying no heed!!!!

There is also a tractor heavy laden with steel works approaching from the Baronstown side and 22 jeeps have been counted.

The situatuion is extremely delicate and extremely tense.

Please go there if you can. Bring video equipment and phone credit. Go Now!!!

Please spread the word, contact all media, ring the Dept of the Environment, Tansport , Museum all.....

No coincidence that this is happening before a Court Order was made to stop them.

by pat kenny Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:00

Rte are repoorting the fact that a protester is underground and in danger if the eviction continues, so they can't say they didn't know. Good luck and stay safe...