Encroachment on the monument of Rath Lugh

international | history and heritage | news report

Thursday April 17, 2008 02:58

by Nz63icid

Concerned citizens protesting against the ongoing destruction of Tara and its Sacred Valley in County Meath in Ireland say that they have received reports of another possible push by SIAC/FERROVIAL thugs to destroy still more of the ancient Monument at Rath Lugh. They say that it is the intention of contractors to move a steel security fence that was erected during a recent Tunnel action.

People on the ground are concerned as the reports they have received suggest that the fence in question is to move back anything between 20 feet and 20 meters and further encroach on the monument of Rath Lugh. So obviously the moving of the fence by 20 meters is the worst case scenario. Such a move would mean that the security fence would be re positioned to the top of the Iron Age rath that makes up part of the National Monument in this beautiful corner of Co Meath.

They say that a likely day for this further work to destablise Rath Lugh's esker, and further desecrate and destroy this unparalleled National Monument is today April 17th. This was the date put forward by NRA officials during their negotiations with the Tunnel Protestor who had occupied a 50ft deep tunnel constructed to protect the now destroyed esker. Although the NRA official in question told outright lies during his negotiations with the Tunnel occupant, he and his colleagues did show plans for the construction work they intend for Rath Lugh. In addition to this they put forward the date of today April 17th as their intended start for demolition of the sensitive monument.

And so naturally Protecters on the ground have braced themselves for an attack on this date. Also an eviction process has started for the protest camp at the site by Coillte, and the timing suggests that it may have been begun as part of a co ordinated strategy by Government Department Agencies and the Gardai to help SIAC/FERROVIAL to continue to bulldoze their way through the building of this highly illegal road, already outlawed in the strongest possible terms by the EU.

Activists urge the media to be aware that there may be an attempt made to further damage Rath Lugh and they hope to successfully resist this using various SPECIALIST NON VIOLENT DIRECT ACTION techniques. Once again they wish to voice their concerns that the gravel hill that is Rath Lugh will be made to collapse by use of continued unsafe demolition practices. The foolhardy installation of a wooden crib wall, they say that similar walls have been constructed and subsequently collapsed in various developing world countries and Spain with massive loss of life.

But at least we'll have a shiny new McDonalds and a sparkling shiny IKEA at the end of a lovely double tolled four lane industrial estate so no need to worry. We'll all be able to consume our blues away with a nice bit of retail therapy.

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Comments (5 of 5)

Scandalous

by muddaearth

Thu Apr 17, 2008 08:54

Good luck with your protest.

Thugs is to refined a word

by paul o toole

Thu Apr 17, 2008 10:22

pauljotoole at eircom dot net

I was on Rath Lugh last friday night and saw the damage recently done.For anyone even remotely concerned for the preservation of our past it would sicken you, for myself it was harrowing to see what they have done and now moving the frontline fence 20 mtrs in seems to me to be nothing more than punative because it looks like they have already taken all they need and more to build this monstrosity.
On visiting the monument I got the tour from Lorcan who lives up there on weekends to witness the end of our heritage. He showed me arround the ramparts tunnels and the Druids altar. As light was wainind it became difficult increasingly to see, until we came upon the 'frontline'.
Lit up with highbay site lighting that Croke park would be overjoyed with, illuminating under every leaf to expose the efforts of protestors the devistation was awesome, you got a good look at what theyve done. Walking through wooded landscape out onto the 'Cliff' left behind the diggers the State sponsored vandalisim is apparent.
It felt like you were in a flim about indigenous tribes being pushed further back into their shrinking enviroment and you were left wondering...where are the politicians?, wheres the help? where are the concerned citisens? where is the green party?.....no where. Just a handful of people giving up more than their fair share to attempt to protect this world Heritage site in the absence of any real support from anywhere.
I spent the rest of the night arround the campfire discussing the next step and later the guitar done the rounds and everyone gave a bit of their soul in writing and singing their songs, having already given their bodies to the cause living in anything but luxury, as the world moved on to destroy the cause that the people on Rath Lugh are fighting for.

So disappointed, so angry

by Justin Morahan

Thu Apr 17, 2008 13:36

Thanks to all of you who have fought against the odds to stop this vandalism.

You are brave, you are strong.

Thanks Paul for adding your powerful voice and presence to this fight against wanton destruction of heritage and beauty.

have we all become numb to it?

by redjade

Thu Apr 17, 2008 16:40

The other night in Budapest I was talking to a Hungarian woman whom have I have known only slightly over the years. I was telling her about issues that I had been involved in ireland - such as heritage activism (or however you want to term it).

She didnt understand the idea so I explained Carrickmines Castle and similar issues and then things currently happening in the Tara Skyne Valley.

She was shocked - like, genuinely shocked! I realised at that moment how numb I have become to this issue and that I expect the irish govt to continue doing what has been doing for years now - bulldoze irish heritage.

It was nice to talk with someone who was truly shocked by this - she certainly knew what Tara is/or has been in the past. Apparently hungarians have been taught about it in public school. She just didnt understand how it could be under threat.

Her sister joined us at the table and I learned that she had been living in Cork for a number of years and the first sister asker her about this issue. The 2nd sister nodded and shrugged and say it happens all the time in ireland.

Camp evicted

by M. Ni Bhrolchain

Thu Apr 17, 2008 18:33

For the most up to date information see another thread

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/87223

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Encroachment on the monument of Rath Lugh

Comments (5 of 5)