Carrickmines site
Injunction lifted
The High Court has lifted an injunction restraining Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council from recommencing construction work on the final stage of the M50 motorway at the medieval Carrickmines Castle site in south Dublin.
The council has expressed satisfaction with the ruling, but protesters said new legal proceedings would be initiated later this week.
Under the council's plans, passed by the Transport Minister more than a year ago, part of the castle would be destroyed in order to facilitate a M50 interchange.
In February, protesters argued successfully to the Supreme Court that the council did not have the required consent under the National Monuments Act to do it.
The council returned to court today, armed with the relevant consent from the Environment Minister, Martin Cullen.
Opponents of the council argue Minister Cullen has a conflict of interest, and the interchange he passed is 40% bigger than agreed by his predecessor Noel Dempsey.
Tomorrow An Bord Pleanála will hold a public hearing into council plans to enlarge a neighbouring interchange linking the M50 through Wyattville with Dún Laoghaire.
Opponents of the enlargement of the Laughanstown interchange argue heritage would be lost which is more important than Carrickmines.
